From Is to Was on a Bicycle

for my son Teddy with love

I tried yet failed to fix my bicycle today
And (honestly) this was disappointing to me
The fender rubs the wheel when I would whisk away
And everything is bent as far as I can see
So now I make a dragging noise when I pass by

What do I know about bicycles anyway?
Not much I must be the first to admit (and sigh)
If others know how to fix it I wish they would
I doubt it now but once I was certain I could

But certainty decreases
Right at the same rate as
Mortality increases
Its rate from is to was
And speeding up is belatedly how it seems

As once it was before time took its toll
My bicycle is perfect in my dreams

I have to get it fixed before the whole
Of blue and gold striped summer celebrates
Without me since certainty and mortality
Seem interested in me and might raise their rates
Since everything is bent as far as I can see

The fender rubs the wheel when I would whisk away
I tried yet failed to fix my bicycle today

And certainty decreases
Right at the same rate as
Mortality increases
Its rate from is to was
And speeding up is slowing down is how it seems

As once it was before time took its toll
My bicycle is perfect in my dreams

+Steven Curtis Lance



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