Bio
Jennifer Chrystie is a Melbourne poet whose poems have been published in The Best Australian Poems 2012, Quadrant, Cordite and The Weekend Australian amongst others. Her two collections. "Polishing the Silver" (commended in the FAW Anne Elder Award) and "Weight of Snow" are published by Ginninderra Press.
Jennifer Chrystie
The Spare Bike
The front wheel nudges a loose-rolled hose
resting on scuffed bricks
Both tyres slim but flat
handle-bars curved like rams' horns
the faded red and yellow frame stripped
of all adornment for the race of our son's life
back arched like a gazelle, muscles pumping
No mudguards or lights to slow this road runner
Tendrils of unstoppable creeper breach
the join between shed roof and wall
gleam whitely in pale light
weave around spokes
A spinning spider nests under the seat
egg sacs bulging
So the cycle continues, waiting for the ghost
rider in bright lycra to spin the wheels