Engine Heartbeats by Lori Yamamoto

desoto purrs soft as a shy cat stretching risotto warm steams tiny windows of night radio glow wraps the dash in honey light engine heartbeats a lullaby learned by rote road unbuttons wide as a yawn after naps secrets scatter like dandelion wishes i breathe them in they taste of maybe and soon horizon folds the distance into pockets fridge note flutters back home without my fingers ink still damp says “choose the version that’s kind” i blink at truth it wiggles like a loose tooth under big sky lies feel almost like clouds memory tumor myoma ghost in my chest ratios jangle numbers that never hugged right i let them drop out the window like receipts lonely song hums fresh and off-key and mine gas station tar shines like licorice puddles coffee smells old yet kind in a chipped mug way tiny toy truck red as a cherry promise i pocket joy it clicks against my keys stretching limbs out knots untie into ribbons steady light stays never scolds, only waits i nod hello to the quiet that follows royal pain gone crowns melt in the glovebox dust kingdom inside grows moss on forgotten thrones mind is a trail winding soft through pine hush riata road loops like a cat in my lap long way from home yet home hums under the hood oroya whispers a name i once tried on yam dreams crumble sweet and fleeting as cookies i keep driving each mile a gentle inhale the night cradles whatever i am becoming