Moonlight Ride
01/16/2005 02:32 a.m.
I run to my bike, kick up the kickstand and go. Three quick turns on the pedals and I’m speeding through the yard, down into the ditch then out again - out onto the road.
The black shadow moving ahead is my dog. We are both happy to be out in the moonshine away from the four walls of the house. I pedal quickly uphill, my legs pumping and my breath coming in short quick puffs of air. My unzipped sweater blows in the breeze behind me. My hair bounces on my shoulders in rhythm with the movement of my legs.
I glance up at the sky. The moon is full. The words to an unwritten song form in my mind. I sing softly to my dog and the dark cool night.
I used to ride at night,
Underneath the full moon.
Felt I was the only one alive.
Spread my arms and pretend to fly.
Those were the good times.
I stop singing and put my hand on my brake, I slow, listening for my dog. I cannot see her, nor hear her. I whistle once, a long low whistle, calling her to my side. I see the dark shadow that is her speeding toward me. I begin to pedal again, picking up speed. Cold wind blowing on my cheeks chills them.
I ride past the pond. Glancing at it, I see the moon and trees reflected in the dark waters. It is beautiful, but tonight even more beautiful is the solitude, the aloneness, the speed and the darkness.
I hear the clatter, patter that is my dog’s claws on the asphalt. Running near my side, she goes faster and faster as I pedal harder.
It is downhill. One, two, three, four pedals and then I have enough speed! Coasting downhill picking up speed, I release the handlebars. I stand up on the pedals, gripping the seat between my knees to keep my balance. I spread my arms out, flying. I close my eyes to relish the breeze.
The ride is almost done. I whistle to my dog again. The whistle says “Hurry it is almost done, almost over.” Her patter clattering paws in harmony with the soft whirring sound of tires on pavement, she runs faster still.
My dog veers off the road and is now running in the grass. I hear the tinkling of disturbed water as she runs through a puddle. I ride past a yard where two black cocker spaniels are penned. They do not hear the harmony of tires and dog claws as we ride past. They sleep on without barking.
I pedal hard once again to pick up enough speed to make it through the ditch. Heading toward home my dog crosses in front of me. I am through the ditch and moving toward the house, and then I am there. I hop off my bike while it is still moving. I park it and head inside in a matter of seconds. I crouch right outside the door. Pet my dog, tell her she is good and that’s it is over. We are home.
I am currently Alienated
I am listening to My keys on the keyboard