Ode to Freewheeling

ODE TO FREEWHEELING

A sure smiling group we appear to be
Pedaling smoothly, avec sweet Cathee

Thru rolling fields of sentinel corn
Woven throughout by the gentle Dordogne

The wind in our faces, our appetites keen
With lunch Chez Jean, we’ll never be lean

The brave forerunners, Keith, Doug and Steve
Puffing up mountains… we’ll never leave

You behind, as we zoom by
Riding the van into the sky

While the rest of us seek the flat gentle ride
We say very little… after all we have pride

But each of us brings our own special glow
Can this hapless poet possibly show

The deep sense of joy that I surely feel
Enroute, together, and at every meal

For Geno, who loves life, and is filled with joie
And not to forget… considerable foie

And Lisa who rides with plucky aplomb
Without talking books to help her along

For Ross, an Aussie, in his own special class
Despite his complaints of a very sore ass

And Willa, all charm, serene and refined
Who kicks butt on hills and comes from behind

Then Doug to whose civilized smile I allude
Particularly delightful when plunging in nude

And Paula, whose calm inner eye can see
Layers of beauty, and every possibility

For Yolande, petit, exact, in fact a delight
Who constantly surprises with her fierce might

And Steve, from Atlanta, who will try anything
Captivated we are by his very wicked grin

And Dear Keith who you know has rendered me dazed
Cycled like mad … we were amazed

And Steve, our guide, like a deep running stream
How lucky for Freewheeling he is part of the team

And Jean, chez Jean, who creates as we go
Teasing us onward… boy are we slow

But where would we be, any of us
Without Cathy, whose smile, we definitely trust

Whose energy inspired, whose heart is so free
Whose kindness is offered, and has been to me

We thank you for this, this moment in time
For the Freewheeling Adventure is ultimately fine
It sparkles and sings… it touches within
Sadly I lament… C’est la fin!

Margaret Armour
October 2, 2005
With the most wonderful memories of all of you and our precious week on the Dordogne