A Christmas story :)

Renee

What about losing the second "stopped"?  the last two lines of stanza one?  maybe last line of stanza two?  the first line of last stanza?  Maybe another verb for "told me"?

Todd

Renee, I read it with Todd's suggestions.  I like it better his way, without the superfluous details.
Your killer lines are the last two lines.  So good.
Instead of "told me", how about "wished me"?
Sweet poem.

That's what the poem's about.

It rhymes too.  

I like it!   

I hadn't thought of that; it does rhyme. Thank you! 

I shared my poem with family, and one person (who struggles with trauma from various life events like fender benders) wanted me to offer the reader how I cope. The only way I can think of how I cope is digging my foot into the break and focusing on what's ahead of me. Is that something worth adding?

Renee

What about a "sister poem" about coping with car acciedents rather than tying a neat bow?  I think your poem ends well now.

Todd

I like that idea! Thank you, Sukany! Maybe the "sister poem" shows up next month.  I am finding that several of my poems are written to people - friends, sisters, mother so far.

Renee

That is a FNIE audience.  You get to twenty and create a chapbook (offered as a present).

Todd

Renee, a chapbook is a great goal.  And yours might be memoir-like.  

Like Todd, I like the way yours ends.  

I know people like hearing how to cope, but I like leaving that up to individual readers.  That way they get involved.  Your coping was to let the mascara run.  You cried.  You let the feelings out via tears.  Good coping skill.  I can identify with that one.

I think you've got it for this poem.

I love that idea! The words legacy and memoir have been coming up a lot for me lately. That will be my goal with my poetry. Get 20 poems and then self-publish a chapbook for family and friends. 
I had a great aunt who self-published chapbooks and gave them to family for Christmas. I'm reading through the only two I have/know of. So far, I only like a couple, but I loved the idea of leaving poetry for family and friends. Most of hers were about life on a Nebraska farm.

In my excitement, I forgot to say thank you for the input. It makes me feel inspired. I have wondered what to do with my poetry I've written so far. Now I feel more prepared, focused, and ready.

A friend tweaked two things. Wanted a third opinion if it’s not too much trouble.

Fender Bender of Ages Past

Stopping at a red light
behind other cars,
I still don’t trust my foot.

I had leaned over into the passenger seat.
(The Chinese food had tipped over.)
My car crept forward
tapping the fender in front of me.

My license plate was a little warped.
A couple of scratches on the old man’s bumper.
He shrugged it off and wished me Merry Christmas,
but that didn’t keep my mascara from running.