And then there’s Austin - Aug. 20, 2026

the name alone intrigues, right?

Austin, never said that name before,

stopped for a poem

on one of those electric bikes,

those fat overweened two wheelers

with an annoying zip to them

(I’ve been startled too many times

on my walks by the creek)

we talked more about

the “B” side of my poetry,

used crossword puzzles

critiqued and corrected poems

bank notices, retired stationary

old flyers, announcements

(tree slaughter hurts me too)

and because a smile never left his face

the entire time,

it softened my opinion

of his irritating transport

as I watched it whizz away