My bike
lonely
rests beneath a sign reading
No Parking Midnight to Three
across from my apartment
(it is all right.
It’s currently past Four).

It is raining out
and my bike has nothing to do
nowhere to go
at this wretched
past-time hour.
She sits
riderless
beneath the sign
awaiting someone
willing to take her out
get her wet and dirty
straining her capacities
thumbing her gears
pressing her breaks
wearing her down
riding her around
before returning her
to her post
locking her back up
and leaving her alone
for the rest of the sodden night.

She waits for someone
who is not me
for I won’t go outside
on such a moist pre-morning.
I should be snoring myself
I realize
inside
behind drafty window
safe
alone.