Girl with a Bicycle

[Hawkman]

Arms wide,
she grasped the handlebars
as she embraced the world
and challenged it with a direct stare.

She came towards me,
this refugee from a Fellini movie,
a girl with an old-fashioned bicycle,
heavy and black.

With every step,
the skirt of her printed frock
swayed
and her eyes flashed.

She looked at me, smiling,
daring me to look right back.
I looked.
She walked past, satisfied
and spoke,
not to me
but to the young man
who followed at her back.

I didn’t catch the words,
just the impression of an accent;
one that matched her face.

[E.A Rumfield]

I like Fellini.

[Bar22do]

Here is an outstanding poem by you. Pleasant, airy, written with simplicity, classy!
I would only suggest to erase one word in the penultimate S - "ordinary." To me it would read better without it.
A success. Bravo.

(and definitely not the writer's block!)

[Hawkman]

AE: Thanks for reading, and i don't blame you :D

Bar: Thanks to you too. Personally I thought it was a bit too prosy, so I've snipped a bit here and there. "floral print frock" still bothers me as it's too many beats in the line. I tried cutting print but then the alliteration is too intrusive. I'll leave it like this for now. I agree about ordinary. I did want to emphasize the difference between the two, how striking the appearance of one and the scruffy plainness of the other, but the line does read better without it, so it's gone. I've also cut the comment, "this one" as I felt it was intrusive, but I'm not sure about it. Without it the stanza reads as a little soppy. I may put it back.

No. No block here... the incident was stimulating. Glad you like it.

Live and be well - H

[AuntShecky]

Nice little portrait. You had me at "refugee." (The line could stop right there.)

Did Fellini make "The Bicycle Thief" or was it by a different auteur from Sunny
Italy?

I'm going to have to stop now. Just a look at MysterMystery's poem and I'm done for the night. I don't know what's irritating me more -- this stubborn computer or my achin' back.

[Hawkman]

Hi Auntie,

The Bicycle Thieves (1948) was Vittorio De Sica. Ah happy days - takes me back to university and the study of Italian Neo Realism. Roberto Rossellini is probably the best known and lasting Auteur of the original group, responsible for films like Rome, Open City (1945) and Germany, Year Zero (1948). Both these films are outstanding.

The girl was striking. I think she would be anywhere, but especially walking down this particular street in this particular town. Her appearance, coupled with that old bike, was anachronistic. She looked as though she'd walked off an Italian or Spanish hillside and timewarped from the late 50s. One of those girls who radiate a supreme self-confidence in appreciation of their own attractiveness, delighting in the gaze of men, both expecting and demanding it. Well it wasn't a chore, so why not - lol.

Anyway, Glad you like the poem. I've just seen another line I want to cut. Hope your back feels better soon.

Live and be well - H

[Hawkman]

Bump. This has been lying fallow for a while. I think it stood the test of time. Enjoy...

[Jerrybaldy]

My lady keeps telling me we should watch the bicycle thieves. You have increased its likelihood. I'm pretty sure all you have posted would stand the test of time. If that doesn't sound too sycophantic.

[Jerrybaldy]

No excuse for not posting something new though you old bastard.

[Hawkman]

Watcha, JB. Thanks for stopping by. As for my not posting something new, may I direct my right honourable friend to the short story section and the thread, Death in a Green Dress. There, not only will he find something previously unpublished, but also, an explanation as to why my output has dropped off.

Live long and prosper in wellness, etc. H

[Danik 2016]

Enjoyed this poem very much!

[Hawkman]

Hi Danik, thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for letting me know you did.

Live and be well -H

[kiz_paws]

I also enjoyed your poem, Hawk! ;)

[Hawkman]

Glad to hear it, thanks kiz...

[Shadowlight]

A testament to the power of a woman who is beautiful and knows it, and maybe abuses it.

Enjoyed and felt a little for that poor helpless guy.

[Hawkman]

Shadow light: thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it.

Live and be well - H