THE RUNNER AND THE CYCLIST

[Jeff Thorpe]

This poem is about confrontation between runner (me) and cyclist. There was certainly some yelling by both parties. Hope it qualifies for the subject.

THE RUNNER AND THE CYCLIST

Many who do walk and run are wary of the bike,
any words to cyclists are likely, “take a hike”.
There’s many in the lycra set who instigate dislike,
in fact there’s some I feel would be at home in the Third Reich.

Little interaction’s seen ‘tween those on wheels and feet,
although they often share courses not part of a street.
Close contact’s common but, it’s hardly meet and greet
and when there’s confrontation neither group takes a back seat.

When collision does occur most money’s on the rider,
sort of like a clash between a large boot and a spider,
quite long odds would always be quoted on the strider
lucky dip to find an insurance provider.

However, my experience has proven the reverse,
when run down by a cycle, the rider came off worse
he, not me, almost needed succour from a nurse
should have seen the bike, it had need for a hearse.

Picture, jogging on the river path in absolute left lane,
hit in rear by cyclist who needed a white cane,
many words exchanged by both, most of them profane,
though subsequent to insults, I jogged along again.

Not the case for cyclist, not that I did care,
kept feeling for his private parts to see they were still there,
they somehow hit his handle bar while gliding through the air,
buckle in his front wheel, it looked beyond repair.

A victory of sorts against disciples of the wheel,
achieved, it must be said in circumstances not genteel,
but, for one push bike jockey, in future he may feel
some respect for runners cause they’re his Achilles Heel.

Jeff Thorpe 03 February 2012 ©

[Robyn]

Ouch! The poem has the ring of authenticity Jeff.
I like the lines

There’s many in the lycra set who instigate dislike,
and
they somehow hit his handle bar while gliding through the air

,
especially the flow of them, which some of the other lines don't quite have.
But the scene is painted vividly, and I can picture it all. Well done!
Robyn

[Maureen K Clifford]

Bet that happens a lot more that we think Riders and striders on collision a course. Good fun write that suited , though would have liked to have seen you try to work the prompt in there somewhere - not that it really matters

Cheers

Maureen