all poems and photographs
© by Maya Stein

all poems and photographs
© by Maya Stein
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Monday, September 11, 2006

working the muscle


























from a distance, the road
might not have looked like much -
a stretch of something, maybe,
a span between mountains,
a length resembling a lost highway,
or dead-end, even, in a certain light,
but no matter - she'd brought her bike.

trusty thing, equipped with sturdy wheels,
a not-too-hard seat, lights, a horn she attached herself.

the days stretched out easy, lithe, quietly fertile,
smooth as glass, and she pedaled that way,
and riding became something of a meditation,
a mantra of knees and thighs, the mnemonic
device of a pedal and gears and lungs and heart
and the delicious taste of pleasure in her mouth,
the subtlest wind at her cheeks, a hot sun
at her back and barely the need
for brakes.

and riding, she found herself oddly still,
needing no encouragement nor reward,
no direction nor speed
no horizon nor hope except
the only thing required:
the simple act of working the muscle,
keeping her balance, watching the road.

5 comments:

GailNHB said...

So how was your hiatus? Are you now the burning woman: burning with dreams, hopes, plans, and poems? Are you getting ready to work the muscle, work the program, work your life and love as best you can? So well said: "working the muscle, keeping her balance, and watching the road." May your road be long, winding, adventurous, and ever open. Traveling in Charlotte, Gail

snowsparkle said...

what a great metaphoric vehicle a bicycle is for this piece. the balance, motion and trust echoes of the self. love the perspective of the photo too... extra specially wonderful!

i missed your writing.... so glad you're back!

GoGo said...

Well done. Very viseral.

Ash said...

"and riding, she found herself oddly still"

thats just so beautiful!

MB said...

This works on many levels. Nicely done.