that new car smell

she had

that new car smell for a long

time.

i kept the mileage

low,

back and forth

to church of course,

the grocery

store,

maybe to the doctor

for a flu,

or pneumonia shot.

never did i drink or

spill

coffee in it the first few

years,

or eat a scone, raining

crumbs down upon the leather

seats.

i miss everything

that once was new

and promising, even you.