ODE TO A 1993 TEMPO

On the last day of Winter semester in 2005, Vicky, and another student met violently in the parking lot at school. Luckily they were both in their automobiles. Anyway, Vicky's right front bumper was crushed. We did not know if the insurance company would cover the deductible or not, as it was not immediately apparent who's fault the accident was. However, it was plain that if the deductible was waved, the cost of repairs would be more then the Tempo was worth, therefore the car would be totaled out by the insurance company. While waiting for a determination, Vicky wrote this about the Tempo.


Preface: The fate of the Tempo hangs in the balance. Will she be totaled? Or will she run free? Will the man take her over, crush and compact her? No, I say! No! We have shared too much together. In these desperate hours, while I wait for the insurance company of doom to make the decision of a lifetime, I would like to leave a little something for posterity. I call it,

"Ode to the Ford".

Ford Tempo, year 1993, how much do you mean to me?
your pick-up nonexistent, your problems most persistent.
Cruise control and automatic locks used to make you quite a fox,
but without them now you're just 4 wheels and a box.
Rotted weather stripping lets in the rain,
repairs attempted always in vain.
Remember when that girl crashed into your side?
Now no bumper graces your hide.
Yet even if some say you're no longer a thrill,
I still fall for your steamy grill.
You get me to work and to play,most of the time with no delay.
So Ford Tempo, year 1993, how much DO you mean to me?
The answer is this: you've made driving a total bliss.
Please, don't let those insurance demons take you away!
I long to drive you for forever and a day!
But dear Tempo, even if your grip on life fails to hold,
I will always love you, even when your engine grows cold.

As it turns out, in case you are interested, no fault could be determined so the deductible was not waved. The Tempo still runs, though still with a damaged front end. Vicky however, was not quite as attached to her Tempo as she expressed. She was happy to start driving her mom's 2003 red Focus, when Mom got a new PT Cruiser at Thanksgiving.

So, here is Vicky's new ride. I wonder if she will wax poetic about the Focus?