Marc's Red Bicycle (poem) by Rosalie Ferrer Kramer on AuthorsDen

Marc's Red Bicycle
by Rosalie Ferrer Kramer → (All Poetry by Rosalie Ferrer Kramer)

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This poem is about my son, Marc, whom we lost to Muscular Dystrophy when he was 22 years old. This was written when he was about 8 and could still walk and ride the bike with training wheels. But it wasn't long before he could not ride it anymore. It was sad, but sadness lives with all of us. It helped me to write about it.
MARC'S RED BICYCLE Marc's red bicycle stands next to the wall. There's no one here to ride it at all. Just the memory of the most happy boy, Who jumped and laughed when he saw that toy. But now I must give the bike away. To a boy who can ride another day. For tears will cease someday, I know, Just as springtime follows the snow. Yet I cannot forget when he first saw, That magical bike that leaned on the wall, And how he dreamed he would be free, Of the crippling disease he could not flee. Yes, the red bicycle stands by the wall. There's no one here to ride it at all. Just the memory of my sweet little boy Who jumped and laughed when he saw that toy.

Reviewed by Jim Dunlap

Reviewed on August 31, 2003

There's not much anyone can say to help you with that kind of pain. Here's something
Alfred Lord Tennyson said:

CROSSING THE BAR

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)

Reviewed on August 29, 2003

Yes. The bicycle would still be there. Of course. Such courage.