with respect, for Joe Biden.

    Aced the driver’s test —
standard transmission, stopped as directed
on town’s steepest hill, started up again –
never rolled back. Drove younger sister
to school in second family car, girlfriend too.
Afternoons and weekends to the A&P
to stock shelves, ring register.

     First car, a VW bug,
no heater. Drove home from college,
cared for sick dad. Drove off from wedding,
bride in next seat, cans rattling in tow.
To work, to the airport, to board meetings.
Van of kids to hockey and the horse barn.
New Corvette when they grew up. Away,
the day the family home sold. Sedan,
when Corvette too hard to get out of.

    Never mentioned glare,
bright halo of oncoming headlights,
horns honking when strayed out of line.
Insist, still capable. Then backed
into a wall while thinking forward.
Police want an age test. Wife worries.
On the phone, son questions. Daughter
comes home for a short visit. Asks
for the keys.