The dashboard clock flips over

The dashboard clock flips over.

5:14. 5:15.

The sun is dropping behind the tire shop

and I am still sitting in the driver's seat,

engine off, window cracked.

You’ll arrive with a breathless apology

and I’ll say "It’s fine," because making a scene

takes more energy than I have left.

But the hour of light is gone,

and that’s a tax I didn't want to pay.