Full Moon Homeless Rider
It’s a full moon, five in the morning.
Elmer and I walk down a path of bark chips.
We spooked the old beaver in the creek.
The heron posed where he always does.
We’re taking a longer walk than usual.
Why not?
It’s a full moon and a sky so clear I can see the Sea of Tranquility.
I hear a crunching noise behind me.
Elmer and I turn.
It’s a homeless man riding
a black bicycle at breakneck speed.
Bark chips fly.
No lights.
Right toward us!
He’s bearded and wearing
a black stocking cap
and black duster.
I jump out of the way and pull Elmer with me.
I shout GOOD MORNING!
He says nothing.
The rider veers off to another path.
He leans deep into the turn
like riders do in velodromes.
I watch him cross a bridge
and pop a mini wheelie
under the full moon.
It lights him up like that scene from ET.
Only he’s on the ground,
going somewhere.