one month

a month has past
with me walking
one foot at a time
passing by buildings
too close for comfort

a month has past
with me trapped in cars
screaming down roads
too quick to distinguish street signs
passing turns and forced to double back

i realize how much
the speed of travel
changes perspective
what i see
is altered at 20mph
wind slitting my eyes
tears near blinding
i still see more

glee
that was what i felt
through the drizzle and cloud
chilled in my jacket
my knees soaking through my tights
finally back on my bike
riding
a cackling madwoman
returned to the streets of chicago

now the aches begin
points of contact grown soft
the outsides of my palms
are chafed and tender
without constant wear and tear...