'Ode to My Hybrid's Expiring Carpool Lane Stickers'
O little yellow strips of plastic --
How you made my drive fantastic.
[At least you minimized the pain:
With you, I used the carpool lane.]
The best eight bucks I ever spent
Was for these babies. They were meant
To nudge us into hybrid wheels;
And thousands flocked to take those deals.
It worked too well, and now they must
'As chimney-sweepers, come to dust,'
Expiring with the fiscal year --
That’s why my R.I.P. is here.
I’ll miss the joy as I descry
Your cars backed up while I whiz by.
Now I’m the one who’ll brake my ride
For Volts’ and Leafs’ electric glide.
Those greener tricks will roll and rock
On past the grim, unstickered flock
That numbers me -- and yes, I’m sad,
But thankful for the time I had.
Perhaps for years I’ll scrimp each dime
And buy electric -– just in time
To take again that solo drive
Once they’ve redone the 405.
-- Patt Morrison
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California's high-speed train wreck
Photo: California "clean air vehicle" stickers are seen on hybrid vehicles on May 6, 2011 in San Rafael, California. Credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images