When all hope is lost

can I recommend

a ten dollar self-care session

(who can afford more

than that in this day + age)

The therapy of cleanliness

next to goodliness

already has a lot to say for itself

so when life is a blur

through smeared windscreen

when you are grimed by sap

and the daily accumulation

of dirt and muck and dust

(on your car’s duco

– but read that as you may)

drive between the car wash rails

sink into your seat

wait for the machine’s

low hum
Then it is a bubble bath

for the qui

Trapped for eight minutes

(by the watch

– your phone is turned off)

encapsulated in time + space

Mind free to let go

its grinding reign

as blue rollers cover you

up and over

sending vibrations

pounding against your chest

Believe me – such blessed release

as you sit embraced

in this slow moving

Cookie Monster hug

When hot air is just hot air

the deepest wounds heal well

sealed under warm jets of wax
Now start your engine

drive on drive on into the day