When I taught you
at eight to ride
a bicycle, loping along
beside you
as you wobbled away
on two round wheels,
my own mouth rounding
in surprise when you pulled
ahead down the curved
path of the park,
I kept waiting
for the thud
of your crash as I
sprinted to catch up,
while you grew
smaller, more breakable
with distance,
pumping, pumping
for your life, screaming
with laughter,
the hair flapping
behind you like a
handkerchief waving
goodbye.
(Linda Pastan)
More Poetry from Linda Pastan:
Linda Pastan Poems based on Topics: Life, Hair, Laughter- The Cossacks (Linda Pastan Poems)
- Vermilion (Linda Pastan Poems)
- Love Poem (Linda Pastan Poems)
- Marks (Linda Pastan Poems)
- Meditation By The Stove (Linda Pastan Poems)
- A New Poet (Linda Pastan Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Life Poems, Hair Poems, Laughter PoemsBased on Keywords: handkerchief, thud, bicycle, rounding, pumping, loping, wobbled, sprinted, breakable