A Tucson Loop Concerto

1 Allegro

heat wafting off the paved bike path
and the dry riverbed running parallel
rolling north with a nice tailwind

codres of spandex-clad cyclists fly by
more competitors than companions
the curse of our social conditioning

always in a big hurry; to what end
anything or one in their path
an intolerable inconvenience

must get around that final bend
heads down focused on the road
six to ten feet ahead; myopic

2 Largo

giant eucalyptus trees adorn some
barrio blocks leading to the trailhead
distinct shape and leaves soothing

dry buffel grass carpets the shoulders
while mesquite and palo verde bean pods
fill the trees, a dried-pods-shadow beneath

standing water lies in the shadow
of the Congress St. bridge
a remnant of the last monsoon

while the rest of the riverbed features
the rippling sand marks of floodwaters
since past and the collected junk they left

3 Andante

the unconscious zigzagging of dragonflies
forward around and behind
demonstrating in-the-moment presence

not scripted, in their ebb and flow
as their environment guides them
moment to moment as they go

it’s getting warm, very warm, a July
summer day under a marbled blue sky
heading home while hawks and pigeons fly

my trike is resting, as am I
in the air conditioning of our Tucson home
life is good; today’s ride has shown

–LE – 7/14/24