Heads or Tailwinds?

Lessons from my bicycle

rice fields at sunrise

How suddenly the wind shifts. 

We thought we were too powerful, but it was just the 

breeze 
at our backs. 

We didn’t notice 
        the tailwind, 
                  of course, 
                            just like 

we didn’t notice 
         the slight 
                  downward slope 
                           until we
                                   pedaled 
                          back the 
                  way we came and it was 
          harder
for some reason. 


How suddenly the wind shifts. 

We thought we were too weak, but it was just the

wind
pushing against us.

Why am I pedaling downhill?
Shouldn’t gravity be

helping 
.
.
.

me 
.
.
.


more?


What is crueler than a headwind? 

Stealing the joy of coasting,
even gentle terrain becomes strenuous,
at times 

          unbearable.

And yet, what is kinder?


(How suddenly the wind shifts.)

Would we ever have noticed the 

          ease 

of a tailwind 
if we hadn’t been 
                                     straining
                         to overcome 
            the headwind’s 
invisible force?


What is kinder than a tailwind? 
         A gentle push 
                 that seeks 
                       no applause 
                             nor credit,
                                    makes the ride 

                                                 more pleasant.

And yet what is crueler? 


(How suddenly the wind shifts.)

Feeding us its soft,
invisible,

tempting lie:
This life is easy, 

              and the wind?		

                                         is always 
                            on your 
                    side.