The Two Wheeling Tots Of Today

A poem by Sudha Mukhopadhyay

They are stylish and modern
In an unconventional way,
And a bit funky, if I may so say.

By ‘they’, I mean the bikes,
Bikes of different sizes and hues,
And those carrying friends in twos.

All the bikers are very young,
And are extremely daring stuntsmen,
Doing the back wheel with an acumen.

They can ride off a tricky edge,
Between the pavement and a path,
And thus be the centre of all the talk.

Bikers with plastic bottles on tires,
Who love to ride at a break-neck speed,
Just to get advantage of a clear lead.

And then there are also those,
Who are happy with a colorful frame,
That brings them all together in a big game.

All of these, I sincerely believe,
Are elements that help the young,
But it is caution that is all flung.

Riding a bike gives them the wings,
It is the first sweet taste of freedom,
A freedom that even flying wouldn’t come.

This intense social activity,
Is a whole heap of fun,
For all these kids under the sun.

They are the “let’s-go-ride-a-bike” bikers,
Who have acquired all the new feathers,
And enjoy the young-age daring pleasures.