Two-bikes Bill
has that rare skill:
rides his own bike
while guiding another.

Left arm and hand
for his faithful steed
right arm and hand
for the other –
like a hyphen.
(Or a shepherd.)

No, not a circus trick
A small cycling trip
along local streets.

Neither of the machines
are flash or fancy
but they are kept
in good condition.

Like Two-bikes Bill himself
half-way into his eighth decade
at a guess.
His orange hi-viz vest
has long faded but he’s
still pedalling
still moving.

Perhaps the second bike 
once belonged to a loved one
now departed.

And he says
not every day
but now and then

“Come on
let’s go out again
like we used to.
Let’s see the town
the shops and the houses
the parks where we picnicked
the beach where we kissed
the pubs where we danced
the kids’ old schools
the playgrounds
 the cafes, the kiosks, the gardens
the jetties, the wharves,
the tugboats, the ships,
the sky, the clouds
the sun.

“It’s okay,
I’ve pumped up the tyres
oiled that cranky chain
tightened those brakes
even checked the spokes
for you.

“Here,
I’ll hold things steady
while you put on your helmet
and your jacket.
They’ll still fit.

“Hop on, dear,
just you and me
our two bikes will
take us back.
Let’s ride again
just like we used to.”

Image sourced from https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhouette-of-bicycle-on-grass-289869/