Switching Gears

Gripped in metal teeth,
the gears turn, whispering.
The daily track work smooth,
no need to see our way.
.
Suddenly a shift.
The chain goes slack
and only our momentum
pulls us through.
.
It's pedal now or perish ,
forward or a fall.
.
A loosened sigh to
feel the chain bite down,
with one last jagged breath
as it slides into new holds.
.
We tandem now
to find a different trail.
A rocky path,
but one with open eyes.