Page 11

Deflation

by Derek Morrison

Fine time for a puncture
Attribution: Wesley Trevor Johnston [CC BY-SA-2.0]
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Gods, they smiled
As plans you told
Group cycle ride
Despite the cold.

Out in countryside
Rain like spear
Bad day for puncture
Mused he at rear.

The assassin thorn
Lay in silent wait
Its pointed dagger
Was someone’s fate.

Heavens pouring down
Prayers for release
Coffee stop pending
So pace increase.

The waiting assassin
Struck the blow
He at the rear
Didn’t even know.

Speed fell away
Group unaware
Pedaled onwards
Dry to share.

A slowing pace
Insufficient heat
Magnified loss
Once on feet.

Shelter priority
Fix can wait
Primary risk
Hypothermia state.

Leaden hands
Fingers blue.
Inn gave respite
Hot drinks too.

Repair was painful
Fix was slow
Fingers seized
Felt like toe.

Coffee stop
One was gone
Post rain and coffee
Search party spawn.

But happy ending
After transient fear
From my being
He at the rear.

Gods, they smile
As plans you tell
So plan for breakdown
In weather hell.

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Inner voices replay triumphs of past
But inner whispers say cannot last
Essential self-delusions of being human
Curses every man and woman
But when age or injury make you slow
The final triumph is to just let go.

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Commentary

I cycle with a lot of very fit people. Some are older and some are considerably younger. Some are competitive and some are not. Unfortunately, age and injury don’t respect temperament or talent, which is particularly hard for those who are used to putting in the extra effort and miles to achieve results. But for all of us eventual decline and degradation is the only certainty. The challenge is achieving a graceful decline. I strive for this nirvana.

Smart dumbness

by Derek Morrison

A world of digital complexity
Where only experts can tune TV
Gullible swallowing of salesman’s art
A rush to devices with moniker ‘smart’
But like filament light bulbs of old
Rapid obsolescence we’re being sold
Because the smartness does degrade
Despite the high prices we have paid
Those smart devices by our side
Have software jigsaws deep inside
Comes a point of no app update
Smartness failing – so now contemplate
Not wise to fall under salesman’s thumb
Buy simpler devices – they’re better dumb.

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