Angela Cooke
I Stand At The Window And Wave My Arms About
Each time I passed his place I looked
Sideways and smiled. Friends sniggered.
They said it was not for a woman of taste
To hanker after this rather rigid man
Who wore a working shirt and owned only
A cheap, white bike. Shyly I brought
Him home - stuck his bike on the steep
Shed roof so all the neighbours would see
And he would get the benefit of bracing
Winds. Now when the weather is right
He cycles most of the day, his knees
Taking all of the strain - bending,
Trembling with an intense joy. I stand
At the window and wave my arms about.
I shout encouraging words - marvel at his
Obedience to the breeze - his dedication
To the propeller’s needs.
Sometimes he sighs - he knows he is going
Nowhere but his tiny plastic legs have
Pushed him beyond despair. His flat
Black cap has become a martyr’s crown.
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