I would ultimately say we couldn't go
But until then dressed her in her
Riding suit, packed our gear and
Put it on the rack and in the tank
Bag. The weather wouldn't change:
High winds and rain prevailing.
Susan swayed awake claiming
She was okay. I liked to give way
But she was weak. Seven hundred
Miles in high winds with her illness
Upon her. I watched her sitting on the
Couch, trying to stay awake, jerking
As she did so, asking something
Softly, "is it time"? She looked up
At me in the middle of my deciding?
Looking down at her questioning
Smile I had wanted this one, ready
For any challenge save her being
Too weak for the will that she had.
I looked out at the rain again,
Still beating upon on our bike.
Too prudent to match her daring,
To risk her riding behind, falling
Asleep, needing to stop too many
Times along the way to steady her
Shaken desire with nothing to keep
Her. She leaned back, asleep.
I listened to the rain and waited.
