Fading Scent

That sharp, chemical promise

from the dealership lot,

a scent of fresh plastic,

untouched air, a new start.

Then my own car, settled in,

the faint ghost of old coffee,

dry leaves from last fall

trapped under the seat.

Dust, a little rain,

the slow accumulation

of drives, of quiet miles.

It's not clean, not new.

It's just ours.