in a family garage

12.11.2007 [801 Ohio, Urbana Illinois]

in a family garage

a bicycle lies in the back of a garage
tires deflated
a seat that has been gnawed by squirrels
a chain that has been rusted, gnawed by time

once this bicycle rode through the streets
passing pedestrians
bells chiming
making way for freedom
creating breezes
delivering newspapers
delivering stories to friends

now it is forgotten
displaced and alone
surrounded by blue mason jars
full of old nails
full of old screws

nails and screws that were left over
from the house that was built
to home a family of four
from the garage that was built
to shelter cars, artifacts, memories

enter a boy, enter a son
enter a man, enter a father
two beings, one a shadow of the other
he holding a rag
him holding a bucket

with one swipe of soapy shirt
the white stripe bursts off
of a red painted cross bar
with one swipe of a soapy shirt
the reflectors on pedals
shine with the Saturday afternoon sun once again
 

 

 

Kevin M. Reader
 

Reviews

[Melanie Jane Boicourt S..]

ahh! nice. Now I totally am longing for summer and the snow flies here like, like, well I can't think of anything I just know that it has been snowing today. Where is warm weather? I guess that I could take a soapy shirt and wipe the snow off the kids' bike and send them out on there way..
I shouldn't complain because the sun is shining now. It just makes me miss summer more.
I tried to go out and play with the dog and I totally slipped and fell on my tush. Luckily, there is enough cushion down there to break my fall.
Loved the poem.
Love All, Mejasha