Pulled out of driveway a few hours ago

To a loud rackety sound heard below

Jumped out at bottom to look at front

At the flat tyre in the dip behind bump



Pulled out jack and all paraphernalia

Stared at rubber pierced by nail yet

Then trudged up to garage for wheel

One of two saved from last car's heels



Rolled it down path right to the bumper

Then laid it on ground with thump heard

Undid all the nuts screwed into old wheel

Lots of energy spent as muscles did feel



Motions - not used in quite a long time

As twists of arms caused lurch off dime

And rear wheels then rolled over jack

Requiring a hard push from the back



Then had to start exercise all over again

Jacking up car now on a different plane

Finally got the beast high enough to insert

Bolts through wheel holes clearly perched



Then slipped on nuts and screwed them tight

Finishing up with jack arm fitted on just right

Finally secured wheel enough to undo the lift

Spinning arm all the way around without shift



Tightened all those nuts again one more round

For wheels can wander so easily if not bound

Then replaced jack and other junk in back panel

Sighing briefly as muscles strained to fit in channel



Finally had all the pieces back where they belonged

Then lifted flat tyre and wheel onto deck feeling strong

Slammed down the gate, sweating from all the exertion

But fully pleased the job was done and now new motion



Could be undertaken in a vehicle with four tires on ground

Thankful it had happened right here in a driveway sound

And not on a flimsy gravelled back road without substance

For there the car would have probably lurched and stumbled



- Tristram



(c) Christopher W. Thomas

7:28pm Sat. March 28th, 1998