Viewpoint by Barbara Dunn Hartin

"Bicycle at the Door"
by Igor Maloratsky

I feel everything differently
now that you are no longer here
to share good times and bad.
Sometimes you hurt me.
Sometimes you staved off hurt.

Everything looks strange.
There is no filter
through which to
view scenic wonders
or people's behavior.

So many years made for
much less you and me – just us.
Exchanged looks, a heavy sigh,
crossed arms, a gentle nudge
composed silent discussions.

Alone, I ride a bicycle built for two.
I find I'm not so wobbly as before.
My training wheels are off as
I drive new routes every day,
some you never knew.

Tenuous opinions put forth,
proposed ventures offered.
When success comes,
I smile inside at the new me
and thank all our past.

BIO: Barbara Dunn Hartin lives within a mile of Virginia Beach's Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. She delights in writing prose and poetry, enjoys most genres of music, attends classes, devours books, practices tai chi, performs as a storyteller and revels in the blessedness of friends and family. EMAIL: bdhartin@cox.net