Biking To Telegraph Hill

My bike was transportation; Mom didn’t drive But sometimes I sped off on an adventure To Telegraph Hill the miles were only five Big sis and I made the ride a joint venture What she didn’t know was the trek was uphill Although one could coast nearly all the way back The journey before us sis tried to fulfill Red faced, she screamed, “I’m having a heart attack!” “Keep pedaling,” I said, “we’ve two miles to go.” It was then we made the ice cream sundae bet The last one home would have to shell out the dough By determination my sis was beset At the top of the hill I took a brief rest I looked down the long road; sis was not in sight I was just eleven and filled with such zest The exhilarating ride gave me delight Far down the road, sis was attempting to ride Her pace was slow; on her face was a scowl I called to her, “Hey, just put the bet aside!” She was closer now; I thought I heard her growl Eleven years older, she’d something to prove Heading back I soared past her down the steep hill When my sis reached the top, she could barely move More than a ride, this was a test of her will About an hour after I arrived at home I washed up and changed for my big ice cream treat She came into view; in her mouth I saw foam Sis was walking her bike, her trip incomplete At age twenty-two, she collapsed in the yard Mumbling something about sibling rivalry She’d never dreamed a ten-mile trip would be hard Mom tried to take her to the infirmary The sundae? It was yummy, but sweeter still Was beating my over-confident sister My big sis had failed in this arduous drill Her aches told me this ride would not reoccur *Entry for Gwen’s “My Bicycle” contest. (True Story)