Observations From a Lowly Lube Tech

Smooth paint to rusted
Engine bay dusty and cracked
Days, months, years of neglect
Torn seats, chipped leather, tires deflated
Flat, bald, nail in the middle

Empty tank, dry dipstick
Not sure of the make or model
Cup holder sticky, smudged fingers
Spotty glass, curb rash on every tire
20,000 past due, little orange light
Oil change reminder, line for miles
Maybe 30 minutes, maybe an hour
You’ll wait, group showers

It’s my…

Car wash reminder, side door dink
Fender bender, expired plates, air filter
A nest for fluff, acorns, walnuts, dead rats Just smack it out, change it later
Full synthetic? way too expensive!
Cheapest stuff you got, you’ll regret it later

Runs hot, burns bad
Washer fluid isn’t supposed to go in there? Got it for a steal, two test drives
Negotiation, bent him over a barrel
Five hundred bucks a month, zero down! Financing, cost sixty, make thirty
Transmission dirty?

Drive it with all disregard
Junkyard, dealer, finger pressed on the Shiny, new, latest model

Oil change reminder still got some miles Drive, drive, drive
A little orange, little yellow light
Once a shiny, new, latest model

Jack Hansen
Author: Jack Hansen
Jack G. Hansen is an English graduate student and works as a Senior Lube tech. He is passionate about cars and poetry.

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