she is just before,
the moments prior to the after
she stands in still frame
the outcome still undone

gleaming handle bars sparkling in the sun
hair streaming, streamers streaming
from handlebars and banana seats
a clear sky, the sun is gleaming

riding that line until it’s fine
she is sure, yet her feet are sliding
slipping, skidding, skipping – skipped.
she separates from the bike she is riding

still no harm done just quite yet
she has not caught time – until
the present and future meet
bike, girl and streamers made still

and the teeth of time merge relentlessly,
guided by a steady hand
in the next moment looking back
aware not of the “or”s, only of the “and”