On April 7, 2019, the UA Poetry Center participated in Cyclovia Tucson, a biannual event that shuts down a portion of our city streets so that people can bike, walk, and otherwise experience them car-free. The Poetry Center's children's area featured a typewriter station, storytime corner, and a poem activity inspired by a line from Nikki Giovanni. For this last activity, kids and kids-at-heart contributed lines about their bikes or bicycling in general to create a group poem. This is the result:
“Bicycles: because love requires trust and balance.” --Nikki Giovanni
Bicycles: because it’s the closest I can get to dancing on clouds.
Bicycles: because freedom is wonderful.
I love pedaling.
Bicycles: because the wind blows, I like to ride fast.
Bikes are fun I am hungry / So many WATTS.
To cheat the wind we shape your tubes/ But bone rattlin’ streets / Need lots of lubing.
Bicycles ride ride it is cool.
Two wheels, the wind on my face and sun on my skin . . . freedom.
Bicycles bicycles bicycles bicycles / Spend 11 K on bicycles, got 22 bicycles.
Bicycles: because you’re free.
Bicycles: because I’m not old enough to drive.
Phoebe likes bikes and books and cat and blue and green and dogs.
Bicycles: because they help life breeze by.
With my bike . . . I found a love.
With my bike . . . I find peace.
Bicycles: because I share movement with gentle outlaw.
Free as can be, one with the wind, me and my bike.
Bikes, bikes everywhere: silent, fast and fun.
Two triangles / Two wheels / What am I?
Bicycles because . . .
they remind us of our original first ride
freedom
freedom to go a little slower
slower to see the trees and cactus better
better to reduce car traffic
traffic too fast too much bad air
air because . . . we breathe.
Bicycles: because I love to coast.
Bicycles: because bicycles.
SM00100T1OS
Thank you, geared moodlifter, for so many memorable rides.
Fly by and watch the world.
My bicycles: thank you for the freedom and all the fun.
Bicycles: it’s a secret.
Bicycles: pedal fast and feel the wind.
Bicycles: because the wind is in my face.
Pedals turn the wheels of life / rolling through the seasons / Fall, Winter, Spring.
Heat brings rain / new life birthed, new feet turning / the pedals – roll, roll, roll, roll roll.
A life explored in plenty / from a single saddle.
Bicycles: because I like to ride.
The closest thing to swimming through air.
Scooters—because I love you.
Rollerblades—because 1990 happened.
Unicycles—if you trust yourself!
Bicycles: because now I know myself.
Bicycle: because I’m not old enough to drive.
Bicycles: because everyone can ride bicycles, under the sky but still together.
Bicycles: because popsycles would melt.
Being bold on two wheels builds me up.
Bicycles: because the wash runs by so quickly.
Now I’m here above my gears seeing all I can see.
It’s so much fun I don’t want it to be done.
Blurry balance slide right off! <3
Thanks to everyone who participated--it was great writing with you!
Photo by Clark Young.