Another October Morning Ride

rode out this morning
under a gray dappled sky
fifty shades ?
more like four or five
the fifty reserved for justification
backbone of human pride

only a few walkers and bikers
out on the Loop so far
perhaps they took the rain
forecast seriously

only a few spittles
out and back
then once home
a little pitter-pat
cool my fatigued
muscle mass

old Sol hasn’t shown
himself yet
the high gray dome
reflecting my mood
despite patches of
deep greens and yellows
reflected in still pools
in the otherwise
dry riverbed

smoggy gray veils
cloak the northern mountains
while south, east, and western
peaks stand crystal clear
in mottled monotones
much closer to those
fifty shades…

–LE – 10/9/25