Riding alone along a path
that runs parallel, north and south
Alongside the Lehigh River
I became acutely aware
of the beautiful surroundings
As they sped pass me on both sides.
As I pedaled along, the ghosts
of yesteryears took possession
of my mind and began to speak
in unspoken telepathy.
“you picked wildflowers on this path;
remember the white campions
you picked for your girlfriend Alice?
And coming up on your right, there!
that very large sycamore tree
where you once climbed it, showing off
for Alice, fell and broke your arm.
Remember? Sure you do, Albee.
And there! Coming up on your left
that special place near that cove,
remember what took place in there?
You both lost your virginity.
Remember the disappointment
the two of you felt afterwards?”
Near the completion of the ride
the phantoms relinquished my thoughts
and all those recent memories
vanished until some later day.
A cool, refreshing mist of rain
Bathed my face while I raced along
A beaten path to Sand Island.
The Day lilies and Campions
Smiled from their clustered colonies
As I passed them along the way
While Kenny G’s horn was blowing
“Forever in love” in my ears.
As I neared my destination
The stimulating rain ended
As did the saxophone love song
Ending my momentary high
Without the aid of any drug,
Recommencing on my return.
Getting high on life
Is a great alternative
All of us should try.
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.