Ring the Bell

I gave away my bike in 2012 
My marriage was on the rocks 
I had bad mental health 
Most days I couldn’t look at myself 

One day, I disappeared 
From my marketing job 
I posted the office keys 
And walked 

My phone rang for hours 
I told people I was safe 
But I didn’t want to talk 
I propped myself up in a cafe 

As I wondered what to do next 
Crying into a muffin 
I noticed the women’s centre 
Was open for drop-in  

There was nothing to lose 
I wandered over to the building 
The ladies put their arms around me 
I relaxed for the time being  

The following weeks, I returned 
I started talking 
It took a long time 
But I eventually made friends  

One day I saw a helper 
Putting up posters 
She told me a client 
Had her bicycle stolen  

I ran to my flat 
And grabbed my bike 
Although I’d miss it 
Giving it away felt right  

I cycled to the women’s centre 
The helper was overjoyed 
As I rode around the corner 
I shouted “Oi, Oi, Oi”  

I jumped from my bike 
Like my legs were springs 
I felt my chest rise 
And my face was smiling  

We spent the afternoon 
Doing bunny hops and laughing 
I pumped the tyres 
And met the new owner  

I looked behind me as I walked home 
The helper and the new owner 
Waved at me warmly 
And rang the bell