I don’t want to ride with you anymore
I want to ride on the road with my friends,
he said
As I picked myself up from the floor
and carried myself solemnly back to the door
From the house I could hear children
laughing
riding their bikes
two and fro in the sun
Then alas
a crash
bike upon stick
child upon tar
bruises and a scar
Crying
I’m alright Dad,
he said
fighting back the tears
wanting me to hold him
but he wanted to be brave
he wanted to be a lad
without poor old Dad