the tire store

what can be said

about a flat tire that hasn't already
been said.

a lot.

a nail, a screw, a shard of glass
stuck
into the tread

and out the air goes.

can they fix it, plug it, seal it
back up
and away you go?

hell no.

you need a new tire. no one plugs
a tire
anymore. but it' only has a hundred

miles on it, you tell the man
in his clean blue shirt.

it's the inner lining, he says, stroking
his mustache and tapping
his belly.

damn liner is shot.

so you sit and wait
in the stiff chairs, with the stale
coffee

and people magazines with liz
taylor on the front.

you wait for your new tire.

it's a tire store, but they don't have yours
in stock.

they never do.
they have to send for it across town
or in

Baltimore. but you're welcome
to wait,
or go.

it's up to you. the cab home, walk.
uber.

we'll call you when it's ready,
or maybe we won't.

we're very busy here with tires.
we don't have any

but we can get you one if you want.
have a nice day.