Poetic Winter -11

27/10/08

Morning Friend,

"I awoke this morn to a frosty sight

one I'll say I hardly like

ICY STREETS have appeared like blight

time to break out the WINTER bike ! "

With apologies to REAL poets, like Tennyson, Yeats, and P. Diddy?...I've attempted a "poetic" introduction to today's Musing.

Certainly there have been endless REAMS of literature - "odes", "epics", "haikus" and "limericks"- dedicated to the theme of the changing seasons.

And understandably so I'd say, since the WEATHER's influence on POETS, is quite as significant as it is on everyday COMMUTERS....just not as "flowery" perhaps?

Then again since many of the "great" poets never realized fame until after their demise, it's a wonder there aren't more poems about "getting to work in lousy weather"?

My mind fairly "blusters" with the climatological commuting kaleidoscopes of rhyming octets which SURELY must be hidden away in some dusty attic of the houses where E.B. White, Walt Whitman, or Edgar Allen Poe once pondered the "reasonableness of a toque" over the "aesthetics of a jaunty cap" while preparing to head out to work on a nasty day?

" Have I plugged thee in, wretched vehicle of mine?

for tis 40 below and my block heater's fine. "

" Sweet 'ere the Springtime, upon memory's plate

now tis cold as the dickens, and I'm running late."

" Do not go gentle into that cold dim light

without extra mittens and scarf wound up tight."

" Alas poor frozen toes, I knew them well

like the bus schedule"

" A shovel, a shovel,

my Kingdom for a snowblower "

Obviously, such "poetry" would never gain renown even LONG after its' author's "sad" demise. ( can you say "merciful" ? )

BUT....if some of the GREAT poets had commuted to work year round by bicycle as I do, they would have availed themselves of a rich, healthful, adventurous, satisfying and stimulating source of inspiration and overall contentment, ( As opposed to the drudgerous "Zombie-Lurch" that gets most people through their appointed rounds in bad weather).

Yes, I'm one of THOSE people that ride in the Winter. Unfortunately, among THOSE people, are many idiots whose reckless disregard for the rules of the road - and others in general - have given us ALL a bad reputation. But as one who rides prudently, safely and considerately, I'll never drive or ride the bus to work again unless and until circumstances, such as a blizzard or a debilitating injury force me to.

I won't use up a whole "Musing" explaining the rules of COMPETENCE, CLOTHING and CAUTION that go into winter riding. There are a plethora of reasons why it's not for everyone. I might never even have STARTED had I not lost my license? ( for impaired driving....again, a whole OTHER "Musing" ? ).

But I will say....

"O'er the frozen road I roll, oblivious to the gas price toll.

Change for the bus I have exact, in the bank it sits intact

I leave when I am ready to go, unfazed by traffic's ebb and flow

The crispy air exhilarates, my cardiovascular is first rate

No stinky bus or smoky sedan, no frozen toes or parking plan

Environmentally I'm sound, endorphin fueled and Heaven bound! "

I know.

It's not very poetic.

But it IS poetry.

Love tImMy :/

“Laugh as much as you breathe
and love as long as you live."