the chamois cloth

you could spend
hours, washing and waxing
your car
when you were younger,
buffing out
the shine with a chamois
cloth
on a sunny Saturday,
the radio on.
the wheels,
the bumpers,
the wind shield, all feeling
the turn and pressure
of your hand.
changing he oil,
adjusting
a belt, or screw.
these cars lasted
forever
with your tender care,
and all the while,
she said that you never
had this kind of love
within you.