the long ride

it's a long ride

along the river.
pedaling up the black
ribbon of pavement.

I did it
at 27

then 37 and beyond.
I can still get it done

even now,
at this ripe age,

but it's a feat.
my legs wobble, my lungs

burn on that last hill
to Mt. Vernon.

the blue sleeve of
water
still there, the full
woods

now green, still there.
the old mansion

at the end.
like me, also still there.