The astrophysicist climbs onto the bike

he inherited from his father,

moves off in obedience to certain laws,

pondering on the longevity of the tyres

also inherited, along with a parsimony

based on the principles of conservation

observable in all matter.

 

The tyres need changing

but being a reluctant optimist

he reserves himself for more cosmic considerations

 

and

dismounting at the corner shop

props up the bike by one pedal against the kerb

as his father would have done.

 

Should it be stolen

he would be devastated,

but the anticipation of it eludes him,

his head being buffeted by solar winds

and his soul possessed by deep space.