pedalpoet

Mountain Biker’s Prayer

To be undressed at the Subaru’s hatch, pulling on shorts and peering into the woods for trails and sounds of life and signs of riding. To lube chain and dial-in brakes, shifting, saddle height, alone at the trailhead or with buddies, talking smack, sneaking a hit, stretching legs. To attack the trail and climb immediatelyContinue reading “Mountain Biker’s Prayer”

The Rise and Fall of Kozmo

Last night, out of the blue while lying in bed I thought of Kozmo, the internet-based delivery service that I knew from Seattle in about 1999 or 2000. That was right after I moved here, my second ex-wife and I had just moved into our first place in Wedgwood, high up on 35th Ave NEContinue reading “The Rise and Fall of Kozmo”

Bird Mob

So, I was eating lunch down at Lake Union near where I worked. There’s a little park, Waterway 15, right next to Ivar’s there. It’s a narrow little park sloping directly down to the water where there’s a spot to launch a kayak or canoe, and a few benches to look out at the lake.Continue reading “Bird Mob”

United

I’m on the 3 heading up James. It’s real steep and we are fully loaded, standing room only. It’s rush hour on a hot summer Thursday afternoon in Seattle. James goes straight up a steep grade under I-5 toward Boren Ave with a stop light and heavy cross traffic at each intersection. The bus isContinue reading “United”

Alone

Go home after the party alone to empty bed Covers pushed back bare sheets wrinkled Basho: the old verse can be about willows Haikai requires crows picking snails in a rice paddy Not this world’sContinue reading “Alone”

Why Walmart Paid for my Knee

I was working at a large discount store known for it’s low prices, low wages and low tolerance for union organizing. I was newly separated and needed a part-time job to help with the bills and child support. A job that I could work nights and weekends for the extra cash. Alright, fine, it wasContinue reading “Why Walmart Paid for my Knee”

Drinking Alone

Sitting in my car in the employee lot at work, five am under one of two tall lights listening to A Ghost Is Born My car alone tucked in next to a squarely hedged viburnum Rain spits and splatters shadows cast from my windshield AContinue reading “Drinking Alone”

Ruin

What new element before us unborn in Nature? Is there a new thing under the sun? Continue reading “Ruin”

The Bear

In our tent (at Bear Lake of all places) six miles in, second night, reading lamp off for half-hour or so A nosy scratching on the flap at our feet. —Squirrel? —Raccoon? Then, I hearContinue reading “The Bear”

Lookie Thing

a boy finds a lookie thing on the side of the road in the ditch by the stream where his dented cans float off to the river it has a vision inside sleepy eyes and relaxed pose naked breasts full exposed and he keeps it alone a boy finds a lookie thing and keepsContinue reading “Lookie Thing”