Hidden inside a brown box
A green-framed
Mountain bike I’d found
On my birthday
Glowing as a night star
My Raleigh; Green Mamba,’ I named him.
He was fast
He was furious
On the road he was amazing
Hurrah! On me, I’ve found a super friend
After school I’d ride
As quick as a cat
To escape big Vusi
The school bully who always nagged me
Some weekends
I’d ride to the market
To help neighbors carry their groceries
I’d take Nandi, my little sister
For a ride at the park
She’d giggle delightedly
And our dog ‘Spotty’ raced along
When the church bell rang
Me
And my friends
And the missionaries
Rode our bikes to the chapel
Singing hymns and camp songs
Holidays earned me
Friendships in “Amaqhawe” biking club
Yet a fractured sheen bone,
Was a medal of honor
I’ll cherish forever
Come rain or shine
Green Mamba; my ride or die
I’ll pedal and pedal on
Until dungeons become lighthouses
These wheels have wings