you're going to need a new cabin filter too

the last

time i was in here, six thousand,

seven hundred

and twenty-nine

miles ago,

there was a dead mouse

in the corner

of the local

not so jiffy lube store.

it's still

there,

still grey, but thinner

now.

deflated.

although the smell

is gone

i choose a seat far away

from it

and pick up

a People Magazine

from the table

in the middle of the room.

there's a photograph

of Liz Taylor on the cover,

with the caption

inquiring if

Liz can keep the weight

off this year.

i think that's the least of

her problems

as i glance

over at the mouse in

the corner.