THE BICYCLE SEAT

by Bryan Borland

It would not be revealing too much
to write of the loss of her virginity:

the violent breaking of the dam, the dramatic opening of the gates,
the sudden burst of tragic speed,

wheeling and willing, spit-flying bumps,
hair-tangled writhing, a prophecy of every man yet to come,

no accident of fate
he left to watch basketball

when the first to hit the spot
kept rolling down the hill without her.

© Bryan Borland