d

With a rag I wiped the chain carefully

the black gathered paste

the detritus of the gutters

that fell to the floor in large foul clumps

of obscene clay

I worked grease into the chain with my fingers

caressed allusions to future rust from

the zinc alloy surface

the hum of the rotating wheel

the drivetrain and pedal crank

were catharsis, exquisite union

of muscle and tissue and continental engineering

knees popping like spud-guns with

the gruelling cadence of descent.