he can defend others
He rides his bike on the snowy road
white breath streaming from his nostrils
So much to learn such a high cost
thoughts of comfort at the end
brought warmth to his body
Promised an easy road once
completing his journey
—-
He hits black ice and skids almost falling
he relaxes and goes with the flow
because he knows he is assured
his reward will come when he is done
Faster and faster he goes
trusting the word of honor
Many obstacles get in his way
he swerves around them
sometimes goes thru them
He sees some others have turned around
and wonders why
—-
The route is longer than he anticipated
he begins to tire
Determined he continues
his body getting so cold
He keeps going because he was told
it will pay off at the end
He sees others laying on the ground their bikes
broken
Concern begins to visit his mind
but forward he goes so he’ll be on time
Muscles are burning wheels keep turning
slower and slower
—-
Was he on the wrong street?
he should be there by now
Confusion fills his thoughts
I know it is here
this was the way
Soon he sees another biker
asks “am I going the correct way?"
“No” says the biker
"because you were told a lie"
"There is no destination"
the biker said with a deep sigh
"We’ve been tricked by the leaders
not sure why"
He looks at his hands blue from the cold
standing with nothing in them
Such a shock
…
He slowly turns his bike around
then pedals as fast as he can
Not sure where he’ll end up
but not willing to give up
He knows he will find another destination
because that’s what he does
When life knocks him down
He gets up off the ground
and starts again…
By Lynn Hahn
