the main thing i remember about him is that
day when we coming out from the hall, he said
i'd better go warm up my car, otherwise

it won't start. and i was surprised because
i did not know cars needed warming up
or down -  they were not horses or cows.

he explained about the engine as we sat,
waiting  for the car to sputter -
reluctantly – to life and snort us home.

eventually we parted ways but somehow
reading about his illness in the papers today
i could only think of that winter night

the way he patiently coaxed the car to life,
turning the key in the ignition just so and
waiting to hear the right sounds and

hoped that wherever he was -  they'd know about
warming up engines – and have the patience to
turn the keys just so and  listen for the right sounds.