1000th mile on my bicycle

Here, an expression of reverence and thankfulness
for safe journeys, pushing myself hard, having fun,
for a few scars, a broken bottle cage, sand everywhere,
no crashes, no wipeouts,
that I can, and do, and will it,
And wishes for many thousands more.

It's hard to describe the feeling of seeing the row of zeros replace all the nines
As though it all starts over, an ephiphany in itself
In an instant, one counting ended and the next began.

Imagine watching a diver in first person;
hearing the inhale, exhale, footsteps on the platform
leaping, watching the water approach
but it's all in black and white, and you don't feel a thing
until hands break water; then it all rushes back at once
the exhilaration of chill water and mastery of air
and freedom.

That, and that, but at the same time, ordinary.