What I Think About Cars

a deep case of limerence

I was never a so-called "car person"

Before we ever exchanged words, they were only the obnoxious machines that sped past me as I took my sunday strolls

Emitting fumes and screeches 

I'd ignore discussions about makes, models, the whole thing

Who cares?
But whenever you pulled up, to the very front like you owned the place

everyone around me whispered

and admired 

As did I

The rich, deep, blue 

The stark white 

The neon green

They wanted you on their side

I'd simply roll my eyes because I knew 

You were on mine

At least for a couple hours each week, sometimes twice

Payroll conversation, boundaries must be kept

and yet

I found out we both nearly died in the snow

The tires lost traction, a common accident, separate days, separate times but

Then you tell me you think of me often

And for the first time, I feel my words worthy 

Because with me you said you went to Venus 

so

I tell you where to find me

You tell me where to find you

I still see your cars in the window but they're no longer for me

Somehow, we passed each other

Like the cars I now watch with extra attention

on my strolls

I try to find the blue

the white

or the green

The distinguishing trademarks of their models

I don't really know what I'm expecting to happen

Even if I saw them, they would be too fast to notice me

Even if I ran after them until my lungs burned, I could never catch up

So I just keep walking

Reviews

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

like you im not a car person. but then one day my friend Ben pulls up in a rusted old Mercedes and i just fell in love with it. i find it so interesting how trivial things (i consider cars trivial) can inspire such emotions. and so i empathised with the persona as i read this. it was strong writing that explores a feeling rarely discussed.