The Ticking

It started out subtle, a metallic click-click

every time the wheel hit the pavement.

I thought it was just a stone in the tread,

something the road would spit out.

But the steering wheel started to pull to the left.

I pulled onto the gravel, the dust thick and dry,

and found the silver head of a roofing nail

buried deep in the heavy, black wall.

I leaned my head close and I heard the sound,

a tiny, wet hiss like a secret being told.

The tire was giving its spirit away,

slowly settling down into the dirt.