Merle Nudelman

Trucking at the Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction                    

Even in tinted glasses you squint.

Desert light shimmers the beckoning

saguaro arms, clusters of palo verde trees

beside the long, white tents, barrel-chested

exhibition hall boasting Barrett-Jackson signs.

Inside, heaven on wheels with chrome.

Rows of glossy, muscled machines stand

rare and proud as kings –

            Jaguar, Mustang, Thunderbird,

            Karmann Ghia,

            Austin-Healey Sprite.

            Corvette legions.

Hefty trucks shoulder into the pack –

            Ford Ranchero, Bronco,

            custom models too.

            A bevy of Chevies, Dodges. 

           

            And there, in pinup lipstick-red,

            a glossy '46 Studebaker pickup:

            snout like a perky beagle,

            big-eyed headlights.

            Curved as autumn apples

            around the sturdy wheels,

            she's a calendar princess

            road-perfect for her auction prince.