Bicycles and Me

Katie sings of bicycles,

nine million in Beijing.

Can you imagine all those bells,

if they should start to ring?

An orchestra's obnoxious sound,

a jarring, noisy din.

Can you anticipate the hell

of parking in that place?

You'd need to know your bearings well

to find an empty space.

And then you'd have the problem of

retrieving one you own.

How would you find the one that's yours

when all of them are cloned?

I'm thankful that I've room to move,

with air that's clean to breathe.

I'm thankful for the birds that sing

in woodlands deep in trees.

And though I've been and seen Beijing,

was pleased that I could go,

I couldn't wait to travel home

to country views I know.

Reviews

[Neville]

I really like that old song, and remember hearing it for the first time .. it's one of them that grows on ya, isn't it .. unlike your little dedication to it and subsequent thoughts on the matter .. which I enjoyed from the off ........................................... it kinda rings my bell anyway, ting-a-ling and toodle oooh :)

[Chris Shaw]

Better late than neva. How did I miss thanking you? A sorry my friend.

Chris

[Neville]

no worries .. have a good day Chris :)

[Fran Marie]

I can imagine how crowded
and congested it is over
there with identical bikes
coming and going...you
let us view the difference
coming back to fresh air
of the open countryside space
lovely poem Chris..well done

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fran. Couldn't wait to get home. Twenty years ago and I can still remember how homesick I was. Really appreciate you checking in. Enjoy the rest of the day.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

you're so welcome..
Happy Sunday to you..

[Chris Shaw]

And to you too Fran :)

[Dave]

Chris - you struck so many happy chords for me. As a child, I rode my bike everywhere. I rode from one end of our island to the other and several times over to the mainland. Unfortunately, I now have a balance problem and I can't ride a bike. I appreciate your feelings about being back home. Several years ago I was able to take my family to Europe and then late my wife and I went to England. Over=all we had a marvelous time. The sites we saw and the people we met were wonderful. When we arrived back in the U.S. and I saw our flag I can't begin to tell you the surge of pride I felt.
Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. I'm pleased that this poem brought you happy memories of when you were younger. I rode a bike too years ago. There's nowhere quite like home is there? Holidays are great but returning home is better. So good to hear you have visited England and that you enjoyed it. Take care, all the best.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris - of all the countries my wife and I visited, England is the one we want to go back to most of all. Everyone we met was so friendly. Plus, of course, they all spoke our language or us yours. My wife and I were there the summer after the death of Princess Diana. I took photos of the gardens at Kensington Palace. Somehow, someday I'll find a way to send you a photo of the color chalk picture of them I drew on my chalkboard in school.
Take care - Dave

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I bet your feelings of it aren't quite the same these days.
That sure is a lot of bicycles...
We always enjoy seeing new places, but getting back home again feels so comfortable.
If I went there now, I would spit on the place and the country...
not a real fan....
but I do like this poem and it reminds me of how grateful I am to live where I live.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear J, thank you for calling on this oldie (that's the poem as well as me). I vowed twenty years ago I wouldn't return. Much has happened since then. While I was there we were stopped by military police, asked for papers, told not to clap performers in the hotel, for fear of inciting the locals to do the, same, had our guide detained at the airport. He wasn't allowed to leave China for another six months. And since then they have grown hugely in might. I was suffocating there. Never been so homesick.

Chris

[William Michael Reeves]

Love to read poetry about subjects that are not the usual fair. Your poem makes me want to talk to someone who rides a bike over there and just what do they do to find it and lock it. Maybe because they are all the same they just grab the first one they come to. I can almost hear the bells all at once pushing the cars away in a wave of ringing.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Bill. Pleased you stopped by to review.. My visit to China, was sometime ago. Perhaps there are even more bicycles now :)

Chris

[poetgurl]

Had me thinking of imagery in a country state of mind
really enjoyed the flow of this piece
and the rhyme scheme
wonderful writing

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Lady K. Pleased you enjoyed this poem. Thank you fir stopping by.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Oh my goodness Chris..This made me laugh and smile..
The rhyming works really well and there is an actual story which is fabulous!!
Lisa

[Chris Shaw]

I was lucky with this one, the rhyme scheme just happened. Pleased you got a smile from this one Lisa. All the best.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Good morning,
When rhymes like that come out naturally then I would say that you have a gift!!

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Lisa. Good morning to you. I have to say, that doesn't happen often. I wished it happened more :) Have a good Sunday.

[light and ashes]

I really like this. It is really cool. The rhyming scheme flows very nicely. Doesn't seem forced.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for stopping by light and ashes. You are appreciated.

Chris

[light and ashes]

You are very welcome, Chris.

[M. J. Smith]

I quite agree. Country views are best. I have looked out a Ross the rolling hills of the Ozarks on a summer day. There's nothing like it. The city can't offer a view of must winding through woods.

[Chris Shaw]

I was born in the city of London. Never go back there now. Far too noisy and crowded. Beijing was something else. I was like a fish out of water when I was there. Thanks MJS for your continued support.

Chris

[barleygirl]

This is a highly original way to share your China experience. It’s always better to focus on some interesting detail, as you’ve done here, rather than trying to do such a travel message in general terms. The way you shared this aspect of life in Beijing, it’s very memorable. You don’t exactly comment on the bad air but we know what you mean & I like your subtlety. Every scene is well-visualized as you paint the details (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Margie, as I said I was pleased that I went, but once is enough for me. And polluted air, we have it here, but it is far worse there. Thank you for your kind review. Enjoy your day.

[Jimmy Yetts]

Sameness is only desired by children.
Adults, in freer countries, appreciate personal differences.
Insightful poem, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy. Yes, you are absolutely spot on there.