Observations while Mowing the Lawn

Note: Lawn
Bare in spots.
I contemplate
re-seeding,
except it’s on my way
to the compost bins
My shoes
break down
the slender stalks,
grinding them
into earth.

This Machine Kills Freedom

This Machine Kills Freedom

The electric buzz overhead
vibrating power lines feeding
into every house, draining
dollars, but lighting the night.
This machine kills the freedom
to fall asleep at dusk, or to rise
only at the break of dawn.
This machine kills the freedom
to turn off the computer
and talk to your friends on a
lazy summer evening.
or does it only allow us to
destroy our own freedom.

The Multiplicative Effect

This last weekend was a heavy duty volunteer weekend! Our bike club hosted Deer Trail Road Race on Saturday. On Sunday, six of us from the Goss-Grove Community Garden weeded two large flower beds, and then they were watered in the process of emptying water bottles left over the race a couple of hours later. All that work was rewarded by a cold Margarita!

The multiplicative effect

From two to four
a garden was weeded
by six willing hands.
From five to six, a garden
was watered by four
willing hands. In
each willing movement,
the earth was restored
and nourished.
And so were we.

Deer Trail Road Race I: Preparations

The Horizon team
rotating in paceline
pinning bib numbers,
practicing echelons
preparing for the race.

A serious rider
preparing for the race,
glad to see pink.

Deer Trail Road Race II: The Race

II. The race

It was snowing by then.
I radio’ed out into
the vacuum of space,
asking whether the race would go on.
No reply, only the roar of wind,
tumbleweeds scurrying across the highway.

Deer Trail Road Race III: Scenes from Deer Trail

III. Scenes from Deer Trail

Back alleys and quiet side streets,
thriving local businesses, outdoor cooking,
new construction bucking national trends,
convertibles loaded up for travel to distant bike races,
don’t they know the race is right here.

Deer Trail Road Race IV: The end of a long day

IV. The End of a Long Day

Victory is sweet.