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September 22, 2004
one-legged man on bike
i see him most mornings on my walk to work, going in my same direction into town, on the other side of the street, on the bike path. he cycles rhythmically, waiting for the right-side pedal to come up and he'd bring his right foot down forcefully on it, and it makes another round, and he stamps it down again.
his crutches are attached to his bike, underneath his saddle, lying lengthways parallel to the bike's body. i wonder if he ever gets in a mood to put his crutches perpendicular to his bike, just to drive everyone else off the bike path.
monday i was walking to work and he cycled past me on the opposite side of the street. ahead, the traffic light turned red for cyclists. i could see him slowing down. just as he came to rest, he tittered, unbalanced.
if he fell to the left side, he'd be screwed, as he only has a four or six inch stump on that side. unless he put out his arm to brace his fall.
my heart pumped wildly for the split second that he lost his balance. my mind thought fleetingly about plasticman, the comic character with extendable limbs, wishing that somehow i could reach my hand out from this distance to provide somewhat softer landing than the pavement.
at the last moment, he regained his balance, tilting to his right side and leaning on his right leg as he waited for the traffic light to turn green again.
phewwww!
Posted by Yasmina at September 22, 2004 08:43 AM
