swish

it begins with a droning noise to summon me forward,

wheels locked into place, windows closed,

the dreaded swish, swish begins

eyes shut tight, knuckles clenched so hard they turn white,

slick, blue tendrils spin and slap against my fortress,

in a vicious, soapy barrage, over and over

I pray for the torment to end as water cascades, and a fierce fale howls,

but I emerge, fully restored, refreshed , yet pulse pounding,

if only I weren’t so afraid of car washes.