Of: 1,000 Miles on the Kettwiesel
Of being free
adrenaline no reins
Of independence
riding when and where I want
Of learning a new craft
with the thirst of a novice
Of feeling newly alive
a blazing fire within
Of adventuring
an 'explorer seeker' at heart
Of unplanned routes
time disappears
Of thoughts of cycling destinations
who more than where
Of riveting descents
and inspiring climbs
Of a boy in a go-cart
the centrifugal forces
Of sounds of a Spring twilight
birds, crickets in symphonic harmony
Of hawks surveying from tree-tops
descending on their prey, theatre-like
Of roadside empties of Absolute and Svedka
crinkled cans of Budweiser, Pabst, Old Milwaukee, Schlitz 'Tall Boys'
Of discarded nip bottles
plenty of nip bottles
Of sky views
in furious majesty, and serene magnetism
Of riding with friends
unique riding styles
Of 'riding together' interpretations
variations
Of riding alone with my thoughts
or no thoughts
Of socially distant engagement
engagement nonetheless
Of Black Lives Matter signs
a rolling discussion, of what that means
Of Stop Asian Hate signs
rides not immune to sadness
Of sadness giving way to hope
smiles, waves, nods, masks and eyes
Of immense gratitude
every mile
Of unbridled joy
leaving PLS behind
Of remembering advice
'to live well,' he answered.
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----- B L A C K L I V E S M A T T E R -----
----- S T O P A S I A N H A T E -----
"64 Killings in 20 Days of the Chauvin Trial --- Half Black or Latino"
(NYT, 18 Apr 2021)
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Happy Birthday to my youngest, Kara, who turned 15 this month. An image captured 6 years ago on the summit of Mt. Washusett.
"HOPE"
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