The Smell That Tips Off the Neighbors

Like the reek of a forgotten school
Lunch kicked under the back seat: It
Overwhelms all else – no
Escaping it. 

Moldy meat in sandwich, banana
Bruised and bent, Tupperware contents
Unidentified and dead. 

The windows, for God’s sake, the
Windows – get them open! At least we can
Quaff gulps of fresh air as we drive. 

Later there will be time to make a thorough
Search. Hands and knees – clear out the
Trash, open bags, and sniff. Sniff.

Head jerks up, eyes blink – whoa. So
There it is. As the bag crumples shut
Before its disposal, wry wonder curls
Mouth corners: How could we have
Left it there so long?

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