Dying Breed by Jamie L. Smith
Dying Breed by Jamie L. Smith
Sun is setting
This mountain town
This Hollow*
Hills that keep us curious who is out there.
Watching.
Look out, empty. The peaceful kind
Dim flame, load the stove
This garage won’t warm itself.
Reminds me of Annabel…
Me as well.
Most women I know don’t get me
The person I am
My hopes and fears sound nothing like theirs
Taken, married, insurance policies.
Not me.
Not Fade Away, snowy FM tuner
Slowly stroll to the Smeg, AN I.P.A. sounds about right
I have to remember to replace that bulb.
Rusted chassis, beautiful patina
She won’t fix herself.
My Pop is going to teach me how to weld
It will be one more thing
I can do for myself
Cut the wood, tile floor, change the headlight
My favorite gifts are the ones I get for myself
Except hand- curated tool set from an old time hot-rodder, My Pop.
That was the best.
Still is.
“Women want to be taken care of. Otherwise the men won’t want you.”
But I want me. Isn’t that enough?
Yes. It is enough
Or least it should be.
I clean up well for a night on the town.
I mind my manners
I’m educated too.
There is nothing that screams home,
Home at last,
Like dim flame, load the stove
This garage won’t warm itself.
I will.
Cut the cords, kindling splinters
Ms. Annabel Lee needs attention.
Tune- up, oil change
Those rockers won’t weld themselves.
But I can, soon
My Pop will teach me.
All I need is me
Survival, thriving for a family of three.
The young always know who to count on.
No typical women choose
What I choose every day.
I am a dying breed, you know.
In the Hollow*, garage rat
Hillbilly mentality
Pretty face and fresh mouth
One of the guys.
Busted Knuckles
Wear grease and a smile
Roots that run deep as my pride
No matter the path
Dying breeds never hide their sparkle.
They set the land on fire.
*Hollow: pronounce “Holler”
About the Author:
Jamie L. Smith
A single mother of two, is a rat rod enthusiast, Pin Up girl culture and photography nerd. She resides in a small rural farm town of the Hudson Valley, NY.
Instagram @pinupsmitty
Photo Credit: Jamie L. Smith 'self portrait/ self reflection'