Liquid

The transmission is grinding a tooth

every time I hit second gear.

It sounds like a pocket of loose change

tumbling in a hollow sphere.

I sent the text at half-past ten,

swallowing the bit of my pride.

The screen went blue with a 'Read' note,

then stayed that way, wide and dried.

He sent a thumbs-up three hours later.

Said he’s watching his own bottom line.

I’m sitting in the driveway, idling,

counting the leaks in the pine.