toledo stock car death, 1957

the neighbor told the story

like it was one of his kids

kenny nemire leading the pack

died in his ford convertible
on a hot july night

how does a nine-year-old

put away that memory
     his first recognition of death

the night was steaming

walking with mom
down to the soda fountain
for a milkshake

the neighbor came off his porch

greeted us on the sidewalk
with the sad news

only a couple weeks before

he had taken us
to the toledo raceway
where kenny had won
the checkered flag

the neighbor knew kenny
like a son
said he looked like
one of the everly brothers
singing bye-bye love

--- e b bortz