Saturday Morning Ride In Early May

pristine, May, cloudless sky
riding south through long shadows
crisp, clean lines
like quick reference points
if one knew how to read them
the sun sitting at 10 o’clock
off the eastern horizon

the path was crowded today
bikies, runners, walker, and joggers
weekend warriors out on display
trying to squeeze thirty miles
into 2 or three hours
if their schedules have any play

driven by testosterone or estrogen?
both genders in roughly equal portions
stats for resumes?
or profiles for dating apps?
or for some, midlife crises?
all the above?

several Roadrunners on display
with many avians dotting the skies
a Coyote poked its head
under the riverside fence edge
wary eyes glancing side-to-side
as the weekend multitudes rolled by

long shadows turned to soft pools
of shade under the shrubs and trees
by the time we rolled into our
home compound
here in one of Tucson’s
southern barrios

–LE – 5/9/26