Tampering with the odometer
to show less evidence of wear and tear—
precision tools, a lift somewhere.
Potential paramour, beware!

The weather’s rough. A bit of rust.
But mind wants young presented on its clock,
machinations moving hour hands
backward upon a ruse of make-believe.

At some point hard pressure’s applied
upon the thinning brakes, or obstacles
necessitate a quick turning of the wheel
leaving the driver and the passengers
stranded upon the overpass. Faces revealed
when minute hand befalls the hour.