Freedom Ride

Alexis Turner

On my bike, down the path I go to escape all my fears, worries, and woes. The birds join me as I take flight, racing towards the piercing light. The clouds surround me with their gentle embrace as I begin to float in the endless blue space.

I hear the chirps; I feel the sun's beam. Oh, how I've craved this moment to be at ease.

Up here, my enemies cannot be seen: it's just me, my bike, the birds, and the breeze. As night draws near and the sun begins to set, although it's not time for the moon yet, I pedal back down, returning to the ground.

On my bike, back down the path I go, unprepared to face my fears, worries, and woes. But something strange looms in the air. Suddenly, I’m not burdened by a single care. I’m now bright, beautiful and all too much it seems as my enemies run, and my fears cower away from me.

Confidence and pride root deep into my spine. The world as I knew it has pressed rewind. Everything’s like it was when I was growing up before life got way too tough. It’s as if I’m a little girl again riding her bike for the first time— slowly, faster, then I’m speeding by.

The neighbors would wave; the bees couldn’t catch me. Yes, my bike was the place I felt free. We’d dash around trees, up hills, then back down, startling the dust that had settled on the ground. Inseparable, that’s what we became, and only now was I able to reclaim that feeling that so many years ago made me seem untouchable, like I was on top of the world.

My eyes open—it was only but a dream. I look around to see everything as it should be. Out in the garage, my bike's still in its place, yet to see its next race. For a moment, I stop to contemplate ... if I took my bike and just pedaled away, turning off my anxious mind and letting my legs lead, could anyone intercede? Would I manage to escape and from my problems hide, or would they chase after me and follow close behind? After all, this is reality. Maybe true freedom lies only in the dream.