Wednesday, April 12, 2006

And So it Goes


the return has been difficult this time
a week in the West Valley
cherished relatives
the last of my mother's siblings
my last tie to her released
until next spring

the threads of cycling tie me to the retired vets
my seniors by 35 years who've taken me in over the years
a week at a time
ridden together to the far reaches of the valley
we greet and depart fondly
share our stories
but their aging is relentless
and doesn't stop just because I wish it to

finding the orange blossom scent was difficult this year
endless fields of roses and cotton now brown
irrigation canals weed-filled
farmlands turned developments to scrape
raze
sculpt for new homes

right now I don't want to embrace the movement of life
just today I want to turn around
and ride what used to be

- tob

8 comments:

Gino Zahnd said...

A nice array of words.

Trée said...

From "aging is relentless" to "I want to turn around
and ride what used to be"

Brilliant Bag. Just brilliant.

The Old Bag said...

Chico and Trée -- thanks so much. I just couldn't figure out how to write this one....

shawnkielty said...

This is all great stuff, baggy. Nice photo too.

The Old Bag said...

Shawn -- thanks. Glad we actually saw horses and roses on Sat!

X Bunny said...

a lot of emotion so well painted

The Old Bag said...

Thanks Xbunny....

shawnkielty said...

We did see some great things on that ride - the roses and the horses were beautiful. Remember that big tin can of a stadium.