New Bike

 

Having owned a new bike for all of two hours,

I joined the community of cyclists, slightly smug,

exchanging smiles with other riders on the train,

asking for advice: which station has a ramp?

 

I have been here before, long ago, and I do know

the day will come when I am cold and drenched,

splashed with mud, cursing the chain slipped

from its track, the pothole and tumble, the

scrapes along elbows and knees and palms.

 

But give me today, the day I forgot that humans

are earth-bound, dull and plodding folk.  Today,

I pumped the pedals eagerly, the wind

at my back.  Today, for a moment, I flew.

 

*****