I Saw a Bicyle in the Road

I saw a bicycle in the road

tossed and tumbled

when father yelled at son

“Next time kick him when he’s down.”

and wondered what else he,

trusting  so  advised,

this boy by chance

a man might become.

Perhaps even little

would be more than I had done.

If this father’s way became the son’s,

the heights ahead,

of brutal hurts and hates

harder than I ever saw

would be more for me than him

and I hopeless

blasted bloodied

in the try.

I see a bicycle in the road.

I smile.

My daughter laughing

rides on by.