The 'silence' of the lone cyclist
∞
It is never silent
The whirr of the gearing
Wind whistling
Gasping for breath
Thoughts
Always the thoughts
The cursing as thighs burn
Pain coursing
Silent cursing
For the cast of one
Not for an audience
No-one is watching
It's personal
Each hill
Every single bloody steep hill
An individual challenge
Solo. Silent
That whistling wind
Always in my face
Headwind
In my headspace
Stopping me in my tracks
Legs too weak to push against its cursed strength
Silent curses
Quiet words of determination
Pushing on
To the next hill
Taken silently
∞
Words by Barrie Thomson