Big Fat Stogie

I braced for battle, but

perhaps the fates would smile

and someone pull out

just in front of me

without my even trying>

No such luck…

Trader Joe’s parking lot

Studio City, CA

Dec. 23, 2011

I decide to go mellow,

park at the far end of the lot

where beckoning empty spaces

say “Laundry” or “Locksmith

            Parking Only”

Attendants prowl the lot,

two hours parking max,

a good thing for those on the prowl.

I back out of the locksmith space

having seen its restriction too late

pull in front of a car

that I could have let pass

think he might take my perfect spot.

Instant karma hits hard

as he got a reward

that I would have gotten

had he not been on my tail.

I sense the parking lot gods

anger at me

I miss another one,

the gods laugh

as a car on my butt

aces me me out once again.

But the Red Sea parts

in front of the entry

and in front of me.

The perfect spot.

just happens to me.

I am flush with

high stakes real estate.

As I later leave

an old guy, huge stogie

in fancy Lexus

waits for me.

Not about to budge

for a puny honking Honda.

A woman get in the Toyota

next to me and we back out

in beautiful choreography  

poetry in motors.

Beverly Hills of parking spots.

The stogie slowly pulls in

perfect in the art

no one could ace him out.

The horn follows

to complete the two step

just feet away.

I wonder, will they speak?

Will one wait and the other walk in first?

But I'm from the Northwest

maybe they didn't care.

This is LA,

horn of America

I ponder all of this

as he takes a puff  

and walks toward the store.