Sometimes a dark cloud hangs over me,
Along with Eeyore, I commiserate.
Such was the case only recently,
When I seemed to be doomed by fate.

Headed out for a basketball game,
One evening with good intention.
My nephew was captain, and the best player,
(I’m more than proud, don’t need to mention!)

State championships awaited them in the wings,
A bird poised for flight, it was clear.
I was on my way to join his mothers and uncles,
With them and the school fans to cheer!

When, suddenly, clear out of nowhere,
I felt a resounding crunch!
Pushed aside by the offending Cadillac,
I came that close to losing my lunch!

Like fingernails scraped on a chalkboard,
That inimitable metallic sound.
Shuddering, I wondered, “But how could this happen?!”
I tried to think, but no answer I found.

Maybe she was yakking on her cellphone,
As a valid excuse, that can never be.
Perhaps applying make up for a hot date that night,
But a peacock’s pluming didn’t matter to me!

I pulled over on the next exit’s offramp,
Just behind me, she followed suit.
Registration and our drivers licenses exchanged,
Along with my car insurance to boot.

But, when I looked over hers, I noticed,
Years before, it had expired.
“Left the new one at home!“, she said and took off,
I was beginning to feel so tired.

Then, just to pour more salt on the wound,
I discovered my car battery had died.
Not a very safe neighborhood in Oakland,
“Hope I’m not soon like my car! “I cried.

Right away, I called my insurance company,
Towing was guaranteed in my contract.
The dispatcher said, “He’ll be there in no time,
Less than usual, half an hour, in fact!“

Though I waited and waited, no one appeared,
I called again; this time I was mad!
“Oops, guess we had the wrong location!” she said,
“It must be my fault, my bad!“

Colder by now, and didn’t have a jacket,
My lips began to turn blue.
From anger to hypothermia,
But, sadly, what else could I do?

Still and all, I continued taking notes,
They were certainly going to hear from me!
Despite appearances to the contrary,
Quite an intimidating figure I can be!

Much time elapsed and still I waited,
Calling them hour after hour.
“You must understand, we’re real busy tonight,
I’d like to help, but I don’t have the power.”

You can guess the ultimate humiliation,
Short, the distance ‘twixt,“Have to go,”and “Really do!”
Squatted down between the two car doors,
Thank goodness I didn’t have to go number two!

Three hours later, I called the police,
“Will fix this, you’ll see what we mean. “
They called the dispatcher and came right over,
Low and behold, the truck arrived  on the scene!

As the calamity concluded,
A boiling pot slowed to a simmer.
Though I wasn’t one, I later surmised,
At least my nephew’s team was a winner!

And in conclusion, just one more conjecture,
I’m not sure what I’ve done to earn,
Such misery levied, but I hope you’ll agree,
It really is someone else’s turn!