Like boats tied in harbor, bicycles
list against the harbor station walls—
their handlebars and seats tilted

to keep them still. It’s the sunset’s
fault, a tidal respite
to halt the open expanse

that begs for more
miles no matter the wind,
the unexplored towns, or last days
of summer and the wait for what’s next.

Laura Madeline Wiseman’s book Velocipede, published by Stephen F. Austin State University Press, is a 2016 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award Finalist. Her book Leaves of Absence: An Illustrated Guide to Common Garden Affection with artist Sally Deskins published by Red Dashboard is an Honor Book for the 2017 Nebraska Book Award.