To Galway Kinnell

Dear Mr. Kinnell,

With the deepest sorrow I inform you
of the passing of Betsy the Bomb.                       
Her last spark plugs fired                       
not long after the day we                       
journeyed from SUNY Farmingdale
to the train station in Wantagh.
You kept her spirits up
by not complaining about
the dirty windows, rusty
exterior, ripped car seats,
and dusty interior.
And after the long bumping,
rattling ride, in my book
you signed,       
‘For Peter and “the Bomb”’
she was so thrilled she made
it home with barely a misfire.
You’ll be happy to know
that Betsy’s battery, stereo,
and speakers have been transplanted
into another vehicle.
  
In lieu of oil, please pay
for the tow.