Dedicated to learning the rules so

he can defend others

He rides his bike on the snowy road

white breath streaming from his nostrils

So much to learn such a high cost

thoughts of comfort at the end

brought warmth to his body

Promised an easy road once

completing his journey

---

He hits black ice and skids almost falling

he relaxes and goes with the flow

because he knows he is assured

his reward will come when he is done

Faster and faster he goes

trusting the word of honor

Many obstacles get in his way

he swerves around them 

sometimes goes thru them

He sees some others have turned around

and wonders why

---

The route is longer than he anticipated

he begins to tire

Determined he continues

his body getting so cold

He keeps going because he was told

it will pay off at the end

He sees others laying on the ground their bikes

broken

Concern begins to visit his mind

but forward he goes so he'll be on time

Muscles are burning wheels keep turning

slower and slower

---

Was he on the wrong street?

he should be there by now

Confusion fills his thoughts

I know it is here

this was the way

Soon he sees another biker

asks "am I going the correct way"

"No" says the biker

"because you were told a lie"

"There is no destination"

the biker said with a deep sigh

"We've been tricked by the leaders"

not sure why"

He looks at his hands blue from the cold

standing with nothing in them

Such a shock

---

He slowly turns his bike around

then peddals as fast as he can

Not sure where he'll end up

but not willing to give up

He knows he will find another destination

because that's what he does

When life knocks him down

he gets up off the ground 

and starts again...

 

By Lynn Hahn