The Dull Woman and the Green Bike
My knees were hurting from the long walk
So I stopped to browse the yard sale
The old bike was hidden behind a dresser
Worn and dirty, the color of kale on a bad day
I paid the woman the $5
She apologized for the bike’s plainness
I apologized for mine
She smiled unsure how to take my response
Streamers now grey and faded
One speed our only speed
Seat big and lumpy
Tires a bit flabby
I hadn’t ridden a bike in decades
I gave the rusty bell a jangle
Just to let the world know
I was coming through
12 thoughts on "The Dull Woman and the Green Bike"
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Yes to “the color of kale on a bad day.”
I love the symmetry of apologies–the ownership of space in the conclusion of this poem
This is great, Sylvia. I love the “color of kale on a bad day” and how the bike and the woman are two of a kind.
Satisfying from the title to the end. Look out, she’s coming through
Really nice. I laughed at “She apologized for the bike’s plainness / I apologized for mine.”
Exquisite rendering of a simple task of buying something at a yard sale. I love how you stopped there to rest your knees after a walk and spied the bike. And what a bargain!! The image of the color of kale on a bad day is perfect.
a great yardsalebiking poem
it has just the right pacing
Wonderful! Maybe I’ll see you out on the street sometime soon.
I love the fourth stanza and the joy of “jangle” in the last.
Yay, more dull woman who is anything but dull!
Love:
the color of kale on a bad day
and well landed:
I hadn’t ridden a bike in decades
I gave the rusty bell a jangle
Just to let the world know
I was coming through
Lots of great lines! I hear your bell!
I love the choices of “lumpy” and “flabby.” Relatable.
I love this! You had me at “Worn and dirty, the color of kale on a bad day” —and of course everything that followed !!!!