Late April Morning Sun

the late April sun leaves
my legs and arms itchy
and red after three hours
a 23-mile recumbent bike run

the dew-rag between my helmet
and head is soaked through
barely keeps the sweat
out of my face

the ride’s elevation incline
more than 700 feet took my
10 bars of internal power and
strength down to zero by its end

but now the bike is resting
as am I, recharging my batteries
for tomorrow’s long ride under
another early morning April sky

–LE – 4/20/24