I was in quite a hurry, to where I don’t recall
It was something important or perhaps not at all
My life moved so fast through each minute, each hour
I must be on time, for time is the power
I consumed it, devoured each second, each day
In what I believed was the logical way
So in my hurry down a pastoral road
I spied a lone cyclist who saw me and slowed
I gave him a honk and drove by post haste
As he shook his head with an air of distaste
I looked in my mirror as saw him move on
I gave no second thought and then he was gone
But something had stirred me I’m not sure just why
Maybe that head shake was seared on my eye
The look of sheer pity for one who seems blind
To the life and the beauty that is so well defined
So many cyclists I’ve passed in my car
They’re a blur on the road I don’t care who they are
And yet for some reason I found his disdain
A bitter chastisement that caused me some pain
Why should I feel bad when my life is so good?
Why should I feel guilty in all I’ve pursued?
And there in the back of my mind I did hear
The cyclist’s voice so loud and so clear
Only a fool will rush their through life
And never give thought to the joy and the strife
For they go hand and hand and allow us to feel
All that we are and all that is real
I pondered this thought as I sped on my way
What a beautiful place, what a beautiful day
Why have I never seen all this before?
The trees and the pastures, the seas and the shores
I’ve been many places that should have been seen
For the breathtaking beauty, the scenes so serene
Instead I’ve made work and success my life’s goal
The riches and status that diminished my soul
I pulled off the road and put on the brake
The quiet was soothing, I sat in the wake
Of a powerful feeling that had come over me
I would wait for the cyclist in the shade of this tree
When eventually I saw him, I knew he saw me
For he sped up his pace and stopped short of the tree
I rolled down my window and watched as he moved
Very slowly towards me as caution behooved
He leaned down beside me and gave me a “Hi”
With a smile so delightful, a twinkle in his eye
“It’s amazing” he said” How many speed past,
You’re the first one who’s stopped but I hope not the last”
So the cyclist and I had a wonderful chat
About life, about love, about this thing and that
When we had finished and each gone our way
I felt in my soul the importance of that day
For little did I know, that the cyclist would be
The catalyst of change that happened in me
-
Author:
Bella Shepard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: February 17th, 2022 13:27
- Comment from author about the poem: After taking many road trips by car, and encountering numerous lone cyclists on the road, I began to see the attraction of what I think is the peace they must feel in those moments of solitude and oneness with the natural world around them.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 41
- User favorite of this poem: L. B. Mek.
Offline)
Comments7
Wow. I would've never imagined a cyclist could change your life so drastically. This was great though! I enjoy the rhyming pattern and the message behind the piece. ✨💖
Thank you for the kind words. My husband and I have been traveling quite a bit since retirement and seeing these guys and gals out on the roads has always made me wish I had been able to do that years ago. Makes you realize how important is to do grasp the joys of life while you can.
As a life long lone cyclist myself (I’ve ridden all over southern Ontario)I must say Bravo! Thanks for sharing this. Cheers🍷🍷🌞🕊
Thank you, what a wonderful community of folks I've come upon.
Aw its a pleasure.
A lovely and interesting poem.
Thank you. I feel as if I'm making wonderful, new friends.
Awareness is a great thing……but ever get irritated by those cyclists riding in the middle of country roads 🚲 🤬 lol
This was a wonderful piece that makes the point that each small thing can make a difference if we will pay attention to it and apply it. Such a nice way of getting the point across.
Thank you so much for your kind comments.
It may have taken me a while to get here, but the journey has been well worth it my friend .. my only excuse is that I spend so much time these days back-peddling ......... elliveN 🙂
Thank you Dear elliveN, I love your new spelling. I understand the back-peddling, do a fair amount of that myself. Take care my friend, and keep peddling on.
Brilliant!
(so glad I searched out this invaluable words
dear Poet
there's a song by that majestic
Tina Dico, titled 'Quarter to Forever'
I feel is in sync with your theme
here's a link:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaKpI0QlpAo&t=32s
Thank you dearest friend for taking the time to find and read my first poem posted on MPS. Your comment truly overwhelmes me. Your wonderful poems always encourage and inspire me, and I value all that I have learned from you. I listened to Quarter to Forever and loved it. Thank you so much for bringing it to me.
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