I sold the sleek black bike
you said I should buy.
My special treat,
in the shop, on my own, I couldn’t fulfil.
It took your love,
your woman’s will
to tutor me in the art of self-giving
and not to fear the gifts that feed.
My self-denial father’s handed down creed.
Cycling was the emblem of our in-love-fun.
We headed out evenings after work,
met near the deer park,
rode out that summer to an unending, un-setting sun.
What now our love is done?