CYCLING UP THE CROW ROAD (NEAR LENNOXTOWN)

                                    
Legs are straining as light is fading, hill-side shading. Sweat and sunset colours stain each golden grain
Muted hues are spreading, into leaves then shedding. Streams, together threading and downwards heading
Lapwing calling, limbs are stalling. Singing in the rain, and cycling through the pain      
White gulls darting, diving and arising, lit by BRILLIANT SHAFTS OF DANCING LIGHT, as they tumble down the empty air, to squabble, here, and there, and EVERYWHERE

Winds are bracing, through dark sheep I’m chasing, ever faster racing, homeward bound
Turning corners, down and around. Tired and wet, and cold-wind facing. Heavy breathing is the only sound
Tighter bends as daylight ends, and straining eyes to see in the grey-patched and yellow-dotted dappled light
No-one to please. Happy and free. Just the two of us-my bike and me