Left Parked

Lawrence S. Pertillar 1947 (Connecticut)



It should not these days,
Leave anyone stunned.
Or unaware of what is being done.
Everywhere there are changes.

It should not these days,
With all the madness and craze.
Becoming normalized as if,
Encouraged to welcome more of it.

And it should not these days,
Create a crowd seen stampeding away...
From someone screaming,
Out of their mind to do alone.
Because they can not find,
Keys to hold in their own hands.
Although...
More familiar are such similar scenes.
Witnessed to observe to go ignored.
With a condoning few explore.

'Calm down.
Why are you screaming like that?
You lost your hat?
Or have you seen a rat?'

'It's my car.
Someone has stolen my car.
I must have left my keys in it!'

'And...
If you don't mind me asking.
When and where,
Did you last see your car?'

'It was in my driveway.
Where I left it locked and parked.'

'And...
How did you get here?'

'A friend picked me up where I live.
And we had gone shopping.'

'Okay.
And those keys,
You shake in your hand belong to who?'

'Oh my God.
I don't believe this.
These are the keys I've been looking for.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
But...
My car?
I don't see it anywhere.
Where could it be?'

'My guess is as good as yours.
Why don't you call your friend.
Or the police.
Maybe they can help you,
Better than I can.'

'That's a good idea.
Although...
I must admit,
The last time I was using my cellphone...
I had left it in my car.'

'And...
Your car?
Could it be still left locked and parked,
In your driveway?'

'Oh, my God...no!
Please don't think I have lost my mind.
How can I explain my embarrassment,
To you?'

'Don't worry about that.
I'm just glad you stopped screaming.
And didn't accuse me of theft.
So...
Would you like a ride home?'

'No.
I couldn't do anything like that.
I don't want my neighbors to think,
I have lowered my standards.'

'Excuse me?'

'I don't want to attract,
Unnecessary attention.
These days people are quick to assume.
However...
Here is my number.
Call me tomorrow after noon.
That will give us a few hours to spend.
Before my roommate comes home.'

'I'm not that kind of person.'

'Oh?
And...
What kind of person would that be?'

'Someone who leaves their car,
Left locked and parked...
At their home on purpose.
As if not out shopping,
For new acquaintances!
Using a different cruising tactic.'

'Hmmm...
Call me.
You have my number.'

'I might.'
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Submitted by lpahtillah on March 19, 2022

Modified on March 05, 2023

2:50 min read
8

Quick analysis:

Scheme Abcx Aaxd aefghxIxxj xkkk lld Bfml en Bx xf exo xxjoxxlmp xqxox xIdgl Blne chxo kfxir ikxx xcxssxqr c iBp lnxfxx rps
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 2,361
Words 553
Stanzas 22
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 10, 4, 3, 4, 2, 2, 2, 3, 9, 5, 5, 4, 4, 5, 4, 8, 1, 3, 6, 3

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    "Left Parked" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/122785/left-parked>.

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