the four a.m. tow truck

i post a notice

on the community page

that if

the powers that be could please

refrain

from towing my car again

for the third time,

they are so anxious

every night

to tow cars in this small

community

where everyone knows everyone.

flat tire,

cracked windshield.

ladder on your truck.

one wheel over the yellow line,

late stickers,

and you're gone.

the mail is late

once more 

and the stickers have not

arrived yet

to put on my plates.

i print out the receipt

from the DMV

and tape it to the windows

on all sides.

all night, i toss and turn,

listening for

the sound of the predatory tow truck

and their

stealthy take.

i have the sneaking suspicion

that someone

is getting kickbacks.