Some Knowledge Poem by Smoky Hoss

A friend schooled me in the art of
hard-boiled eggs.
'Boil em 7 minutes,
then immediately toss em into ice water
for 1 minute, followed by
rolling em on a folded paper towel.
That's how you do it right.'
I couldn't disagree.
Another friend said,
'Never, ever change the stock mufflers on your car
in favor of loud dual exhaust,
you'll ruin the valves.
The motor will be shot all to hell.'
I didn't feel like disagreeing.
I was sitting at the side of the community pool,
one of the few in the shaded area.
The fried-fish were stacked upon each other
in the bright sun,
laughing, and boiling…
having a grand time, I presume.
They advised me that it's silly to come here
just to sit in the shade,
'You need some color fella!
You're so white.'
I guess I had to agree.
- Someone offered me a fresh boiled egg.
I replied, 'No thanks,
I've never really cared for those things.'
I grabbed my bag and wished them
a good day,
they all wished me the same.
I get into my old car out in the parking lot,
fire it up …
God, it sounds so good!
Idling through custom dual glass pack pipes!
I look at the odometer,289,289
miles registered there.
I think to myself,
I bought this thing over 40 years ago,
one of these days
I just might need to rebuild the engine,
but not yet … it runs perfect.
So, I put it in gear,
head out onto the highway.
Time to visit my old pal,
the sun-worshiper,
who's in the hospital, dying
of melanoma…