The air gauge needle barely budges
toward the number that you need,
and still three tires more to go
ten minutes left before you work
at least fifteen miles away
as the sun bears down its weight
on this hottest day of the year
adding insult to the stain
of coffee spilled across your sleeve
while a passing van reminds
you left the full report at home
for the meeting you'll be late
all because you overslept
all because you could not sleep
because you practiced through the night
revised your presentation's speech
perfecting its delivery.