Man and His Car: a Short Story

There was a man whom fortune really blessed; All things were brought to him at his behest. Of cars he had not one but a whole fleet, A spectacle when they were on the street. This rich man’s cars were source of his great pride; When he drove by, men looked at him green-eyed. He had the fastest, smoothest, newest wheels-- They truly were the king of all mobiles. There was another man who lived in town, Who got the worst of fickle fortune’s frown. He worked so hard to stay in this life’s game, And dreamed to have just one car to his name. As the rich man’s car collection increased; The other poor man’s troubles never ceased; So he grew old and dreamed when day was done Of a Cadillac but he never had one. The rich man died later as all men do-- And brought to the grave in a hearse not new: It had been used so many times before To bear the bodies, whether rich or poor. Alas, the poor man also did expire! Freed at last from too long in the mire. His body was borne by a hearse that’s black-- The town’s newest elegant Cadillac. March 26, 2023 Fairview, Baguio City