Schwinn

The Christmas I was 9 I got

A Schwinn, red, no basket.

By May I’d discovered

Suicide Hill.  I was the only

one calling it Suicide Hill,

but coasting down this hill

felt dangerous.  As I grew

confident, it seemed not

dangerous but thrilling.  I

reached a speed that filled me

with joy.  I was going so it felt

like I could almost leave myself

behind

which was the ultimate

relief.    For a few moments I

escaped myself

I left me behind

 I remember looking back.  I could

almost so myself panting, weary,

out of breath

free of me finally.