Ode to the Beater Bike

no upgrades for years

maybe a yearly washing

past four calendars exposed

to the seasonal elements

 

but you keep turning pedals 

to the grocery, the local trails,

the market, the beer store, on

long fat-tired road rides

 

remember when we first

swung low on sweet dirt,

jumped off a curb, bashed

into rocks and tree roots

 

i don’t either, but when

i look at you all those

times roll into one big

lovin’ smile on my face

 

you’ve never let me down

which says more than this

knee-jerk scribblin’ does

i’m gonna bathe you, later