OMA round 9
The Race - Morrison, IL

In Loving Memory of White Lightnin'

75 in gas before I get off my hill,
Gets me to that place, that halfway to Bill's.

Another full tank gets me there in style,
In a much newer van, that's not such a pile.

It's a beautiful day, with a nice gusty wind,
But I'm semi-retired, and still on the mend.

White Lightnin had promised to treat me right,
Get me to the finish.....well, she just might.

The long crazy start left me wanting more,
and before I knew it I was knocking on that door...

To pass someone, and put THEM in last place,
I must first eat some roost that's been blast in my face.....

Off the brand new back tire of a 50 horse steed,
White Lightnin's power is not as much as I need.

Finally, a long stretch just a few miles in,
I saw a clear line and committed the sin.

I locked the throttle as tight as she'd go,
And moved over the rear fender as I sped down that row.

80 MPH and slowly inching up,
White Lighnin wants a divorce, but she has no pre-nup.

"I'll not let you go without getting my money's worth!"
But she can't pull the 450's with their power and girth.

And that's when it happened... my engine lost power
As the others moved over to continue my shower......

Of dirt and cornstalks from the year gone past,
But White Lightnin is dying, and can longer go fast.

I bent down beside her to check her out,
The smell of oil left me no doubt.

"Don't do this girl" I whispered while kneeling down,
"I'll sell you to the circus......you'll be ridden by a clown.

You'll haul around wierdos, bears, and mimes,
In no time at all you'll be worth less than a dime.

But I cranked and cranked as she failed to fire,
So it was time to make a sign, "Rider for hire."

Will ride for food- I'm ready to start,
Dirt I will eat and dust I will fart.

And that's when she left us and gave up the ghost,
Just in the time when I needed her most.

The long trip home leaves me with little to do, But tell of my misfortunes and entertain you.

Until next time… 
Alan Westerfield #4