Free Verse Friday, Edition 1
For years — seven of them! — I’ve wondered what to do for the Friday edition of this blog.
“Why is Friday different than other days?” you might reasonably ask.
“Well,” I answer, reasonably, because you started out reasonably and so I felt reassured that you weren’t just trying to start an argument for the sake of arguing, “People in general are less likely to spend a lot of time with a blog on Fridays, because they’re more interested in wrapping work up and getting on with their weekends. In fact, a lot of people don’t even read blogs on Fridays at all.”
“And also,” I continue, still reasonably, “on Fridays I am generally kind of interested in getting on with the weekend, too.”
Finally, with utmost reasonableness, I conclude, “So big long posts on Friday don’t make a ton of sense.”
Anyway, ’til now my strategy for Fridays has been, “Do nothing.” It seems like a sound strategy, and is certainly easy to adhere to.
But this morning, I had an idea.
“What if,” I said, because apparently I am doing a lot of monologuing today, “I reserved Fridays for poetry? Specifically, short, poignant, evocative, original free verse in which I describe what my plans are for the weekend?”
“And furthermore,” I said, to nobody in particular, which made sense because nobody was even around, “What if I encouraged whatever readers happen to stumble (for I imagine my readers as the type of people who often stumble about) across my blog to comment in the form of free verse as well, whether to describe their own weekend plans or make snappy remarks about mine!”
I knew, instantly, that this is was a brilliant plan, and not just because I was the one who had it.
And so, without further introduction, I present the first Edition of:
Free Verse Friday, Edition 1: Ruminations on Quality of Life, and On Bratwurst
The workweek has been long
And intense
I have convinced eight analysts
To put more than 1200 pieces of paper on a wall
Truly, I am persuasive
But I am tired
So tired
But wait!
The house smells of bratwurst, boiling in beer
In a few short hours I am going to Moab
To ride around the White Rim
With friends
And family
And a few people I probably have never met
Annual RAWROD tomorrow!
Bratwurst by campfire tonight!
My life is perfect.
Thank you.
PS: For those of you who wish to comment in the form of free verse, please do your best to end your poem with “Thank you” so that we know it’s done.
Comment by Jenni | 04.27.2012 | 7:32 am
The plane smelled like feet
But the coffee is now hot
In a new city to ride my bike
And get paid
Life is good
Thank you
Comment by Fleg | 04.27.2012 | 7:34 am
Something about non-rhyming or free verse poems just make them seem like a list of thoughts to me.
Thank you
Comment by Truck | 04.27.2012 | 7:35 am
Long weeks
Made longer when you work only
four days
Played golf on Monday
Eagled Number 9
Downhill ever since
MSU (E. Lansing) Spring Football
Good:
Friends
Drinks
Times
Day
Thank you.
THANK YOU.
Comment by Matt | 04.27.2012 | 7:35 am
After the weekend the
stitches come out and I get my
pointer finger back.
Just finished sharpening the santoku and went to open the steak too lazy
to find the scissors I told the lady
who put me back together.
A week of worse than usual hunt and peck typing
A week of nasty spring riding weather anyway
the car to and from work
is at least a place for a second cup of coffee.
And at night the rollers, sweat on the basement concrete
surrounded by unkempt projects:
an old univega
the minivelo with the dollar bill tire boot still in
the fixie needs a headset
The bike on the rollers itself
carries last years sullied white tape.
New grip, new tires and cable housing all await
but tonight It’s just spinning and bad TV
The weekend will bring me to the garden
riding moments will be stolen and against sound advice.
After the weekend the stitches come out
and I get my pointer finger back and
I can ride again.
Thank You.
Comment by chickenbocks | 04.27.2012 | 7:45 am
I’m sure the neighbors wonder
Why I mow and mulch and water and clean up every Thursday evening
sometimes, long after dark
If they cycled with friends on weekends, they’d understand
Comment by chickenbocks | 04.27.2012 | 7:45 am
I’m sure the neighbors wonder
Why I mow and mulch and water and clean up every Thursday evening
sometimes, long after dark
If they cycled with friends on weekends, they’d understand
Thank you.
Comment by Al | 04.27.2012 | 7:51 am
Frustratingly this week
The work has dragged on
And drags on still.
The rain has rained on
And rains on still.
So my free time has been spent
Looking out the window
And wondering why I am too wussy to ride in the rain.
New cables, new chain and block and new wheels
Are part of the truth.
But, if I’m honest, only part.
Still, Saturday beckons
And I have a free morning.
So rain, wind or sun
I will ride.
And I hope you have as much fun at RAWROD
As I will in the roads nearby.
Thank you.
Comment by Nancy_in_MN | 04.27.2012 | 7:56 am
Friday haiku:
Mayo waiting room
My bike is lonely at home
Things we do for love
Thank you
Comment by Turn The Damn Cranks | 04.27.2012 | 8:20 am
Flu for days.
Finally a bit better, but must travel this weekend.
Would rather ride my bike.
Sigh.
Thank you.
Comment by Elisabethvi | 04.27.2012 | 8:21 am
Mmm…bratwurst!
I know what we’re having for dinner!
Bratwurst!
Your words have made quite an impression.
Bratwurst!
Thank you!
Comment by Jeff Bike | 04.27.2012 | 8:25 am
Working for hire
Riding for fun
Life goes on
Thank you
Comment by owen | 04.27.2012 | 8:25 am
cold and rainy weather is in store
but I will not be denied my chance to ride
as Leadville looms
I will dig deep and attack the darkness
on my trainer in the basement
thank you
Comment by owen | 04.27.2012 | 8:26 am
cold and rainy weather is in store
but I will not be denied my chance to ride
…as Leadville looms
I will dig deep and attack the darkness
on my trainer in the basement
thank you
Comment by Jeff Dieffenbach | 04.27.2012 | 8:32 am
You
Are
Welcome
Comment by RodNeeds2Ride | 04.27.2012 | 8:39 am
I’m nuts.
Signed up for a Century, my first.
Guaranteed to be my worst???
Better get out and ride to Ogden,
it’s much better than weeding the garden.
“Stop rhyming and I mean it!”
“Anybody want a peanut?”
See? I’m nuts.
Comment by RodNeeds2Ride | 04.27.2012 | 8:40 am
Thank you.
Comment by Rick | 04.27.2012 | 8:54 am
Its the weekend.
Time to ride!
Woohoo!!!
Thank You…
Comment by Rich | 04.27.2012 | 9:00 am
Finally its Friday
the week has been long
I haven’t ridden at all
Will suffer in Chico on Sunday
Then the brewery
All will be well
Thank you
Comment by GenghisKhan | 04.27.2012 | 9:04 am
Thank you.
Thank you?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you! (very much).
Comment by KM | 04.27.2012 | 9:21 am
Too sick to ride this week,
I’m Short on breath and sleep
I see my bikes
They look very nice
I wish I felt less like a ill sheep
Hey! You try to make this work. Thank you.
Comment by TimD | 04.27.2012 | 9:35 am
Going for a beer
With my dear
Wife
Thank you
Comment by onomastic | 04.27.2012 | 9:37 am
I’m an attorney
so the concept of free,
whether trials or verse,
is anathema to me.
I just got off my bike
from a great morning ride.
Another tomorrow.
And Sunday outside
on the weekend’s big test,
but my sons will ride, too,
so third wheel drafting
will help me fight through.
Family and bikes
and healthiness, too.
I can’t ask for more.
I’m done, so Thank You.
Comment by DAC | 04.27.2012 | 9:39 am
100 miles so far this week.
25 Monday, making up for Sunday rain
25 Tuesday, 28.9 top speed
25 Wednesday, where’s my rest day
Thursday, pretend to sleep in; wish I was riding. What if it rains tomorrow?
25 this morning, watching the sun rise in the Florida sky.
Two days left; which is crazier?
175 for the week, or I’ll be 61 in 12 days?
Thank you.
Comment by mykill | 04.27.2012 | 9:45 am
Yesterday
i switched to clipless
Today
i aspire to be falless.
Thank You.
Comment by Lisa in Athens | 04.27.2012 | 9:46 am
Driving an hour north
To get my hair did and go to
SOMEONE ELSE’S baby shower
Concert on Sunday
Return to work Monday
I’d rather stay gone a few more days.
Thank you.
Comment by BrewCityChris | 04.27.2012 | 9:47 am
Elementary School Talent Show Friday
Rain all day Saturday
Trainer in the Morning
B-Day Party in the Afternoon
Sunshine to return on Sunday
Metric Century?
Bratwurst & Beer does sound good
Monday will come too soon
Thank You
Comment by Miles Archer | 04.27.2012 | 9:48 am
Nancy_in_MN,
Haiku does not need
superfluous Thank you
after the poem
Comment by mykill | 04.27.2012 | 9:54 am
Folded not quite into a racer’s tuck
like one of those famous
San Francisco burritos
that take two pieces of foil to wrap and the
belly still peeks through,
pink and soft and bursting
with one too many dollops of sour cream.
But watch him chew up those hills,
fueled by equal parts
Cholula and fear
of dying like his parents
who had hearts that stopped beating
long before their hearts
stopped beating.
Thank you
(i actually wrote that a few weeks ago and needed somewhere to put it, woo free verse friday!)
Comment by Geoffrey | 04.27.2012 | 9:58 am
This week I had the highest hematocrit in a very long time
13.5 which is low for many
This meant I could submit myself to apheresis
Two units of red blood cells at one time
Blood flowing voluntarily
A wee bit woozy as a result so no ride yesterday
Today I flag
for the great Archipelago ride
which I will not do
but want to serve
Tomorrow is the longest ride I’ve done in three years
Call it altitude training
Or simply stupid
I will have fun
But to serve, to submit, to help
That is the great route to the true source of Joy
Thank you
Comment by Miles Archer | 04.27.2012 | 10:00 am
stolen verse:
I’ve got a bike, you can ride it if you like.
It’s got a basket, a bell that rings
And things to make it look good.
I’d give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.
Comment by Graham | 04.27.2012 | 10:13 am
Heading out to prom
Dressed up and sober tonight
Teachers do it all
(A haiku for you!)
Comment by Eric | 04.27.2012 | 10:50 am
The week’s been good.
Easy at work.
No training, “I’m tapering”
Early to bed tonight.
Tomorrow I rise early
to run 26.2
My marathon goal: just beat Fatty :)
Thank you
Comment by Julian | 04.27.2012 | 10:58 am
Haiku works for me
Excitement building: verse now,
New bike tomorrow
Comment by berry | 04.27.2012 | 11:27 am
At work by 8.
EIGHT.
That is just too early for me.
But the beer ride is tonight.
All will be well.
Thank you.
Comment by Brian in VA | 04.27.2012 | 11:30 am
I work to live.
Not live to work.
I’d love to play every day
But no one pays me for it.
If you love your work.
You’ll never work another day in your life.
I’m fortunate because
I do love my work.
But I cycle
Therefore, I am.
Thank you!
Comment by wishiwasmerckx | 04.27.2012 | 11:36 am
Gilgamesh
is an epic poem…
Thank you.
Comment by RandoBoy | 04.27.2012 | 11:43 am
Weeks of yore
On my butt wore
A saddle sore
‘Tis now no more
Thank you
Comment by Tommysmo | 04.27.2012 | 11:55 am
Ahhhh it’s the weekend!
But the boy puked at 4:30 this morning.
The wife has a baby shower on Saturday afternoon.
Will any or all of us end up
Reclining on the sofa
Instead os using our two-wheeled
Motivators?
No, Thank You!
No.
Really.
NO!
NOOOOOOO!
Thank You
Comment by N1LUL | 04.27.2012 | 11:56 am
Work sucked
2 SufferFest sessions actually more fun
First group ride Sunday
But it looks like rain
Thank You
Comment by M.A. | 04.27.2012 | 12:02 pm
Sleet flies past apple blossoms
Bees huddle inside
Fall food shortages forecast
While I dream of sunny rides
Thank you
Comment by centurion | 04.27.2012 | 12:03 pm
eyes tear
nose pinched closed
P.U.
Comment by Clydesteve | 04.27.2012 | 12:28 pm
Sunday tried help wife ride green horse by holding reins
failed – hose bolted wife jumped off
wife sore
my hands ripped open – covered with huge blisters
raw gaping wounds too
Friday hands healed enough to ride bike Saturday
wife feeling better
life is good, no?
Thank You
Comment by Cyclin' Missy | 04.27.2012 | 12:41 pm
Survive meeting with the VP
Drive to Mom’s across the state
Run a trail half marathon – woohoo!
Recover
Love it
Thank you
Comment by Neil | 04.27.2012 | 12:44 pm
Pontiac race in the rain
might puke
rinse with warm gatorade
much better than writing technical incident reports
this is messed up
Thank you
Comment by hannah | 04.27.2012 | 12:45 pm
Baby is still too little to
sleep through the night
go more than 2 hours without nursing
wear a bike helmet
so my two-wheeled friend
sits in the garage
and waits
the way I should
patiently
until the day comes
when i can ride again.
Thank you
Comment by Susie H | 04.27.2012 | 12:46 pm
Oh, Lord.
What you have started.
Here.
Thank you.
Comment by Nancy_in_MN | 04.27.2012 | 12:58 pm
And this, excerpted from Dracula From Houston (by The Butthole Surfers):
Got no future
Great big past
Little bitty guy on the rim of my glass
Gotta meet the plane so I can get my monkey
Teach him to be cool
But a little bit funky
Got no credit
And I got no fear
And I got about a buck
So I can buy a beer
Gotta see a doctor ‘bout the words I’ve said
And I gotta get a bike
And I gotta paint it red
The last part of the refrain often runs through my head while riding with that happy feeling of endless possibilities:
You don’t have to be there
Cause I’m never never never
Comin’ home
Thank You!
Comment by leroy | 04.27.2012 | 1:04 pm
(Note to self: do not trust my dog when he says I’m only interested in going for an easy spin.)
Danke Schoen, my dog, Danke Schoen.
Thank you for all the strain and pain.
I recall, Central Park and a fall, how I tore my shorts, your retorts, laughs and snorts, that’s not all.
Danke Schoen, my dog, Danke Schoen.
You attacked when I dropped my chain.
Though we go, each a seperate way, still the memories stay, you will pay, my legs say, Danke Schoen.
Danke Schoen, Auf Wiedersehn, Danke Schoen.
Comment by Liz | 04.27.2012 | 1:25 pm
Work: A difficult task lies ahead.
Family: Laid a beloved aunt to rest today.
Mountain Bike: Ready to take all my frustrations and sorrows for a long ride tomorrow.
Thank you.
Comment by Tom in MN | 04.27.2012 | 1:41 pm
Work week almost over.
Ride home along the Mississippi.
Screen house with a bottle of Red.
Time to kick the tires and light the fires.
Have great weekend.
Comment by Richard P. Kelly | 04.27.2012 | 1:44 pm
When tasked to pen his first, my son wrote what has become my favorite poem:
Is there anything so useless as a poem?
A poet, perhaps?
Comment by T-Mac | 04.27.2012 | 1:44 pm
Watching the sun from inside
I yearn to go for a ride
The weekends now here
so bring on the beer
Monday I’ll be totally fried.
Thank you.
Comment by Kukui | 04.27.2012 | 1:55 pm
Free-verse: Haiku style!
Cycling in the sun
All my troubles melt away
Seattle Springtime
Thank you. =)
Comment by a chris | 04.27.2012 | 2:06 pm
Hannah needs a bakfiets,
and more sleep
I need that too
I should really get off the net
and close my eyes for ten minutes
until I hear screaming offspring
gotta lotta riding in this week
just not very fast
see bakfiets remark above
weekend will be kids and work
and lousy weather
Thank you.
Man, Fatty’s server didn’t like my poem
Try again
Thank you.
Comment by David Atos | 04.27.2012 | 2:25 pm
Police bike auction
buying stolen goods for fun
spend five bucks on a beater
replace the rusted hulk that I rode this winter
take the remains of my trusty steed to a non-profit
they’ll cannibalize parts that remain useful
add them to the pile from other rejects
seven new bikes will rise from the ashes
and seven new children will ride
who otherwise would be sitting at home
thank you.
Comment by Skye | 04.27.2012 | 2:47 pm
Shiny new (used) bike
sits.
Bored.
Alone.
Waiting for some magic to take off
these blasted eggbeaters
Get off of my bike,
I want to ride!
Thank you muscley bike shop man
My weekend is much improved.
Thank you.
Comment by Ex-YahooRob | 04.27.2012 | 3:24 pm
Don’t be sad
When work, you must
For I’m just sitting here
and my work skills have rust.
Laid off 4 weeks ago
and no time to ride
interviews and job searches
now take up my time.
Still, a loop round Los Gatos
I found time to do
and the smile on my face
could not be subdued!
SCREW you Yahoo! :-)
Thank you.
Comment by Patrick | 04.27.2012 | 4:36 pm
A wet winter as always
For it is Oregon after all
I need to train for the Monster
Its creeping up quickly
Oh wait, it will be here on Sunday
And I only have 200 miles in so far this year
Can I ride a metric century?
Yes, the Monster is upon me and I hope to slay the beast
With no training so far
The Monster Cookie ride I will conquer on Sunday
Thank you
Comment by cyclurkette | 04.27.2012 | 5:25 pm
the heart rate monitor I always wear
as my bike teases me
to push harder
shows that my heart beats too fast at times
not from excitement, or joy but
from some sort of electrical disorder.
the doctor I have just met
thinks this can be fixed
and I will have even more joy with my bike to come.
thank-you
Comment by lynn e | 04.27.2012 | 7:26 pm
Riding on the trails today feeling boss
When I encounter two pimped out roadbikers at the cross
They allow me nary a glance
Until upon my jersey they happen to chance
Where did you get that they ask quite shrill
We know him – we race him in Leadville
It fills me with pride when I hear this
For the jersey I wear is Fat Cyclist!
Thank you.
Comment by roadrash | 04.27.2012 | 8:36 pm
I ride
It’s what I do
But not tomorrow
Tomorrow I run
I run for those who have fallen, and those who have got back up
I run for the lost boys of Sudan
Thank You
Comment by Tom S. | 04.27.2012 | 9:30 pm
You are
always welcome
Thank you!
Comment by Scott Gilbert aka ScottyG1962 | 04.27.2012 | 9:41 pm
About to give up
and I got a response
from a lady cyclist
who I suspect can drop my ass.
Beer, bikes and broads.
Life looks up.
Thank you.
Comment by roan | 04.27.2012 | 10:37 pm
Free verse Friday
Tis the first
So I’ll be terse
The Hammer is Great
And Fatty is wurst.
Comment by Nurse Betsy | 04.27.2012 | 11:27 pm
Broke my back last year.
Nervous about biking again.
Will it be okay?
This is the question.
Thank you.
Comment by Mark | 04.28.2012 | 9:30 am
I live to play, work to live
My time to other people I give
Life ain’t fun
But when I ride, the wind I feel
I push those pedals, renewed zeal
I am one
Thank You
Comment by MattC | 04.28.2012 | 11:37 am
Rats…missed “Free Verse Friday” (Stupid WORK).
But I’m totally here for STUPID VERSE SATURDAY!
Back from the UK just a week.
Work was like skydiving…
into an inferno.
The rains of England
have followed me home.
It never rains in California.
Stupid song.
My bike(s)sit waiting.
Laughing.
Crying.
Maybe tomorrow.
No, tomorrow for SURE.
I will ride like the wind.
Stupid wind.
I hate the wind.
Wind is born here.
Laughs at me every ride.
But I win with every ride.
I cannot be stopped.
Except by work.
And Rain.
And wind.
I am weak.
But my bikes are strong.
And willing.
Always ready.
I strive to be worthy.
I rarely succeed.
Bikes don’t care.
Bikes are life.
Thank you.
Comment by cece | 04.28.2012 | 2:40 pm
I set a goal
I must have been crazy…
to cut 21 minutes off my previous
time trial pace…oh my!
With 2 weeks to go
I am 1/2 way there
If only I could loose that horrible hill
and the fat butt baggage!
My hips don’t want to climb uphill.
Comment by CampyDog | 04.29.2012 | 4:23 am
Rainy
Cold
All weekend
Comment by CampyDog | 04.29.2012 | 4:24 am
I can’t type either
Can’t ride
sigh
Thank you.
Comment by Marty | 04.29.2012 | 5:45 pm
No Bike Snob this week
Fatty gets lazy on us
Thank you for nothing!
Comment by davidh-marin, ca | 04.29.2012 | 11:15 pm
Fatty, a suggestion
We all bring our Berets to Davis
A poetry slam
Fatty style
I need to learn to snap
my fingers
thank you
does anyone have a guitar?
Comment by BonzoGal | 04.30.2012 | 12:03 pm
davidh, a suggestion
Berets in Davis
Bike bells instead of snapping fingers
Bongoes beat by cleats
Team Daddy-o rides again
Thank you
Comment by KristenT | 04.30.2012 | 3:15 pm
My bike
(Which one?)
stares at me resentfully
While
The rally car
gets all the attention
Hey, bike(s), it’s
just one weekend
He only gets
to go out a
couple times
every year.
We’ll get back
together
next week
Promise
Thank you
Comment by Fishsalsa | 04.30.2012 | 3:30 pm
Friday. Seattle.
Mist condensing on the road.
Riding the trainer tonight.
Thank you
Comment by Andrew 11 | 04.30.2012 | 7:15 pm
Time
is gone
‘video games
homework
email
Complex and delicate
mountain biking is easier
Back to school
Another sunday
another ride
thank you