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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT face="Times New Roman">T’ was The
Night before the British Car Show </FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">T’ was the night before the British car show, but I was
out in the shed.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">My car wasn’t budging – the danged thing was
dead.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The battery and petrol had been checked twice with
care,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The tires kicked too, to make sure they held
air.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The plugs were all snugged up, tight on their
leads,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">While shop towels betrayed how much knuckles can
bleed.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Once more I inspected the rotor and cap,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">But that car was intent on a long freak in
nap.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">When out in the street, there arose such a clatter and I
sat up far too fast to see what’s the matter.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Into the sump my head slammed with a bash,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Crunched back to the floor – I grew faint with the
crash.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">A lump on my forehead and a ringing in ears gave an aura
of migraine, while nausea grew near.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">But then what to my watering eyes should
appear?</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Why an old Morris tow truck with harsh grinding of
gears!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">There was a little old driver, so crazy and
quick,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I knew in a moment it must be Dip Stick.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">More bewildered than brilliant his mechanics they
came,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">And he laughed and he hollered, and called them by
name!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“Now Austin, Now Triumph! Now MG and Jaguar!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">On Healey! On Mini! On Morgan and Rover!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Get that car off the lift, and watch out for that
wall!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Now back away! Back away! Back away all”</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">As good money before a long shop visit flies,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">And when met with a rebuild, bills mount to the
sky.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">So up to his full height sir Dip Stick he
grew,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Despite a kink in his back, and I believe his leg
too.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">And then, in a fuse flash, I heard under
breath</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The swearing and calling for previous owner’s
death.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">As I bandaged my head, and was fumbling
around,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Down the first Castrol Can came with a bound.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">He was dressed all in Dickies, from his pants to his
shirt,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">And his clothes were adorned with gas, oil and
dirt.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">A couple of rags he had stuck in his belt,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">And he left stains on the concrete wherever he
knelt.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">His eyes-how demented, his pupils how twitchy.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I offered to help him, but he laughed out of
pity.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">His crusty old mouth, twisted up like a bow,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">And the stubble he wore had a good three days
growth.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">A slow burning cigar he held tight in his
teeth,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">And the smoke it encircled his head like a
wreath.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">He had a broad face and a nicely round belly,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">You could tell he liked his chair right in front of the
telly!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old
elf,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of
myself!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">He spoke very few words as he turned to his
work,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">And after tuning the SUs, he turned with a
jerk.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Then he turned the key one and hit the
starter,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Wow, she started right up as he hit the gas
harder!</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">He sprang to his truck, to his team gave a
whistle,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">And away they all zoomed, like shot out of a
missile.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">But I heard him call out, over a backfiring
blast,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“Happy British Car Show to all and to all safety
fast!”</FONT></P></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>