Bicycles

I ride my bike up and down the dirt path
Peddling as I soar over dips and hills
I lift my legs as I come splashing through a puddle
Left by yesterdays showers
With a smile
As I feel the cool wind on my face
The breeze
Dancing through my hair
I let out a shout of pure exhilaration
Audible evidence
Of the beauty and perfection of this moment
I feel the sun warming my back with its gentle light
I look to my left and see two birds chirping
Nestling each other
I grin at that
Those are such pretty birds
Peace steals over me as I realize that this is it
This is how I want feel every day
For the rest of my life
I round the corner and see my friends playing soccer
I wave to them as I pass by
With one hand
Then none
Gliding along with arms outstretched
So I'm a little bit of a showoff
You would be too if you were showing of the bike that your mom
bought you for your 9th birthday
A beatiful red schwimmer with gleaming silver
The kind every boy wants and feels proud of
And everyother boy envies
It cost quite a bit but she persisted until he finally relented
Ya gotta love moms
I keep the thought with me as I peddle into the sunset
I'ts getting drak outside
So I'd better get home

Damnit!
Dad's back and he's pissed!
Big suprise, complaining about work as usual
Does that man ever stop whining?!
Who's he gonna take it out on tonight...
I'm sure as hell not gonna let him take it out on mom again
Thats for damn sure!
He goes and gets his belt, first thing he does when he gets home
He goes to the kitchen with that look in his eye
I call him a few choice words
He gives me a look, then leaves the room and goes to the garage
I hear some banging around
What the hell is he doing...
He comes back with an oiled chain in his hands
My new bike chain!
"You son of a -" 
I don't get to finish
He brings it down upon my back
I cry out in pain and roll away, under the coffee table
But he comes after me, pulls me out, and hits me again
Across my arm, then my face
Splitting my cheek in half
I crumple to the ground, already half dead 
But he continues to beat me senseless
Tearing shreds of skin off me
Quiverring ribbons of bleeding red flesh
He beats me on the back, on the legs
Around the head
Until he is exhausted
Then he drops it and slowly walks away
I can't feel anything...
I am drenched in blood
Everything feels different this time
I can hear my mom yelling, screaming, wailing as she cradles me in her arms
Then the noises grow fainter and fainter
As the pain slowly ebbs away
I suddenly realize whats happening to me
I feel a tear, a sole; last tear slip down my cheek...
I wish I hadn't gotten a bike for my birthday

Dustin Germain Jan 27, 2002