I can feel the grinding in my lungs
my heart
my brain
like I’m going up some monumentally tall hill.
January, my soul eeks outs
between ragged breaths
it’s…
only….
Jannnnnnuuuuuaaaryyyyy!
So I switch gears.
Retool a little, you know?
What makes a bike really shine?
Oil, patch a tire, new chain and then
Before I know it
Legs out from under me
Wheels spinning freely
Faster than I can control
Children flying
Out of control
“off the handle”
and my arms are flailing
(because at this point why hold on to the handlebars)
and I’m screaming at people as I pass by
“IT’S ALREADY JANUARY! HOLY SHIT!”
And yeah,
There’ll be the bottom of the hill eventually,
I’ll coast
And slow down
And catch my breath.
Won’t I?
Or will I flip over a stick
And break my shoulder?
Or hit a car?
Or bust my head?
Or will I hit a perfect flip
And land and impress the waiting crowd?
(Shh. It’s January- I can dream…)

I choose backflips.