The smell of rubber
even now
means
anticipation
shaped into bicycle tires
getting that new bike
riding on seat springs and sunlight
skirting a pathway
to the sun
legs turning to jelly
pumping pedals
flying down Pine Street
and Jr. High too
summer yawning
ahead
like a billion burnished promises
gliding along the edge of town
passing Laura Edem’s house
the scorn on her face
bouncing off the sheen
of my hair
flying out unbound
behind me
every street and pathway
the pattern
of that town
found in crevices of memory
shards of an existence
as the everlasting days of summer
fold up neatly
like pressed pansies now
in a worn leather book
They say the sense of smell is most powerful in evoking memories.
I have heard that too.
https://youtu.be/p02DgHeGdyI
Oh, I love this as the bicycle rider I once was, tooling around town and owning it! I love the lines “the scorn on her face/ bouncing off the sheen/ of my hair.” And the last lines are sublime, Lana. Gorgeous.
Thanks so much, Diana. I hope you are enjoying these last few days of glorious summer! 😀
We’re having Texas weather here! Summer finally arrived 😀
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
Thanks John! 😀
You are very graciously welcome.
yanno, I have never had a new bike. nice poem tho. 🙂
Well, I’ve only had one, Jim, so I’m almost right there with ya. Thanks! 😀
So fabulous, the poem, the bike…and the song…I love it!
Thank you so much, Holly. I hope you enjoy these last days of summer 😀
We are just heading into the hottest part of Summer. I’m looking forward to fall 🙂
Yep, I’m right there with you 😀
Ha – right back there with you! The heat and the smells – fresh mown grass – as we pedaled furiously past. (Though my bike was a rickety old third or fourth-hand contraption) You captured it and then folded it nicely away with the closing lines. Beautifully done Lana!
Wonderful poem, Lana! I love riding my bicycle, love the feeling of moving fast forward with my own power, and the wind around me – always makes me feel a bit like Leo in Titanic (“I´m the king of the world!”) 😉
Have a lovely day! Hugs! 🙂 <3
Oh, I really like that scene in Titanic, Sarah! It does feel a bit like that. Hope you have a super Friday and upcoming weekend. Hugs! 😀
You too have a wonderful Friday and lovely weekend, Lana! Hugs! 🙂 xxx
Love this whole poem, esp “riding on seat springs and sunlight,” “summer yawning / ahead / like a billion burnished promises,” and “fold up neatly / like pressed pansies now / in a worn leather book.” Childhood summers, carefully preserved, tucked away in memory. Beautiful. 🙂
Thanks so much, Joan. It is interesting now, I really don’t see young teens riding bikes anymore. The oldest I ever see are about 11-years-old. Times, they are a changin’ 😀
Lana, this one brings back lovely memories. Weren’t we FREE riding our bikes all over town, unlike today’s kids who must “suit up” with helmet, knee and elbow pads to take a similar journey?? Won’t be long now that kids will be heading back to school. Personally, I’m eager for Fall weather!!
Those were great days, Debbie. I’ve also noticed that teens really don’t ride bikes anymore, at least not where I live. Yes, school is right around the corner, I’m actually not ready for it, ha ha!