We watched “The bird man of Alcatraz”
together
on a sofa
eating ice-cream
just me
and the motorbike queen

Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha
were top of the league
back in the day
when she rode to work
in red striped helmet
and leathers

Rostered together
we worked well
a good team I thought
as we dusted and hoovered
cooked the tea
put residents to bed

She fell asleep as the credits rolled
past the midnight hour
and I wondered
if should I wake her?
Perhaps a gentle touch
on the cheek and

She would fall into my arms.
But her cheek
was not mine to touch
so, like the birdman
refusing the chance of escape
I stayed my hand.

Biking skills?
I had none
unless you count a frantic pedalling
up and down hills
when choosing bicycle over bus
to get to work

So, like Burt Lancaster
surfing the crest
of poetic licence
I will say I rode pillion
round Somerset twisties
with the motorbike queen.

Copyright ashyvicar October 2024