“The isolated Model T truck bears the weight and pride of a hundred years of rust, becoming prairie art and sentinel.”
– quote and photo by Glenn Buttkus at South Sound Minimalist Photos
cousin billy jo’s family
left kansas in dust bowl;
packed worldly possessions
headed to californ-I-ay
to live under a palm tree
but truck broke down in dry
gulch county of colorado;
abandoned it right there
hiked to nearby town
where billy jo’s daddy
found work in a mine;
rusted dreams sift sand,
no palm tree for miles.
a poem in my pocket 
Jul 12, 2021 @ 17:12:14
A fun read. Thanks for sharing.
Jul 12, 2021 @ 17:29:43
My pleasure, Ali!
Jun 16, 2021 @ 18:23:00
I love the whole backstory you’ve assigned to this image 🙂 Bravo!
Jun 17, 2021 @ 13:34:22
Jun 16, 2021 @ 14:06:32
A bit like the Joads, but I think their old truck came a little further.
Jun 16, 2021 @ 14:53:11
I think that Grapes of Wrath made impression on my brain…
Jun 16, 2021 @ 12:32:16
This is beautiful poetry … ‘rusted dreams’ resonates.
Jun 16, 2021 @ 13:01:57
I’m gratified, Helen.
Jun 16, 2021 @ 12:04:11
I absolutely love this- the fact that you associated a memory, characters and setting to this photograph is splendid! 💝💝 I can picture the truck breaking down in ‘dry gulch county of colorado,’ and how billy jo’s daddy found work in a mine.” Thank you so much for adding your voice to the prompt. 🙂
Jun 16, 2021 @ 13:01:27
I appreciate your comments, Sanaa, and an intriguing prompt!
Jun 16, 2021 @ 07:26:42
Oh my! This was great! If abandoned vehicles and houses could could tell their stories? I often think of that. Loved it!
Jun 16, 2021 @ 10:31:38
Thank you for your enthusiastic response, Susan 🙂
Jun 16, 2021 @ 11:10:39
You’re most welcome. 🙂
Jun 16, 2021 @ 04:17:01
Nostalgic write and I love the slang tone.
Jun 16, 2021 @ 10:32:15
Thanks for commenting!
Jun 15, 2021 @ 22:58:34
There it is, THE BALLAD OF MODEL T. If you want to hear God laugh, make a plan, right? Oh, you forgot to tell us that Billy Jo married, a banker and only drove Cadillacs.
Jun 16, 2021 @ 10:33:01
Perfect ending to the saga, Glenn! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Jun 15, 2021 @ 21:09:08
Your guess is as good as any, Lynn. Could be just the way it happened. I’m glad they made it to a town out of that blazing desert heat.
Jun 16, 2021 @ 10:33:45
Me too! Thanks, Lisa.
Jun 16, 2021 @ 13:28:24
You’re very welcome!