Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Devolution

Jaggedy bike paths
and velvety night rides
these are a few of
my dangerous things

It is certain that I devolve
that my ancestors were panthers
Caged all day in pretty clothes
and encouraging words
the feral blood prowling in silence
awaiting its chance

The spandex hits my crotch
and I roll
threading my way
through velvety darkness
egged on by coyotes
yipping in the open space
On all sides of me
voices threading through the grass
across the trail
with just me slicing between

Five miles through State Park,
I see no other humans
I fly too fast for a girl without a night light
but am unable to stop
unable to tether the panther
whose need for speed
teeth sucking wind
jaw gaping
bugs splintering the cornices
of my eyes
Makes me whole.

5 comments:

Michelle said...

Love it!

Anne said...

It's been awhile. Glad you're very much back in the saddle and still living dangerously. No night light?!

Anonymous said...

great to hear from you. love your writing, as always.

KK said...

unable to tether the panther
whose need for speed
teeth sucking wind
jaw gaping
bugs splintering the cornices
of my eyes
Makes me whole.


Perfectly crafted. Awesome poem.

Anne said...

I just made an attempt to pull you out of hiding. See my blog for details. We miss you!