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Revival

COVID lockdown, jammed vehicles 
Stirred to expose my old bicycle 
My old parents had exigency of medicine 
I remember 
Didn’t forget 

In the scorching June noon 
On rough and ruined road 
People scoffed at me 
For being a ripe-aged old woman cyclist 
Yet 

My bulging nostrils and soul-stirring smile 
Incited them even more 
The outworn, faded, and rusty cycle 
Kept racing with the same esteem 
By which space shuttles blast 

In the front row, I picked up medicine 
Nobody scolded me to break the line 
Astonished, they were rather 
Once again, on the road I was 
Kept quiet, all the mockers now 

Just like a winning cyclist 
I leaned it against the main gate 
The smile on wrinkled faces 
Left me tight-lipped 
Outside, patted my conveyance 

Flooding tears mixed with sweat 
All I gained by my bicycle 
Which was lost 

Categories: Cycling Stories
Derek Lakin: Derek has more than two decades of experience as a cyclist, and is the founder of TreadBikely. He currently travels full-time with his family via RV, enjoying the country's best biking destinations. A secular Buddhist, Derek frequently explores the intersection of cycling, mindfulness, and compassion in his writing. #rolloutblissout

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