7/15

i ride into town
across the manhattan bridge,
of course there is an incline
until you reach the middle
and then it is smooth sailing
with a fast descent
and a couple of sharp curves

i came around a bend this morning
and in my path
face down
on the ground
convulsing
was a young man with blood
pouring out of his mouth

i went into a sort of shock
told him i was calling for help
and dialed 911
while i was on the phone
another biker arrived
who totally took care of this guy
talked to him
kept him from moving
just was completely there with him
until the paramedics arrived
a very long 12 minutes later

i hope
that if this dude hadn't arrived
i would have been half as good
in providing comfort for this fellow biker
and i hope
that his injured body is recovering
and that he will be ok