The Climb to Andorra Arcalis

"Lance Armstrong trails only Fabian
Canellara of Switzerland entering a 139-
mile mountain stage. . . . with a grueling
uphill finish. . . ."
Washington Post, July 10, 2009

The wheels turn turn turn,
legs pumping, muscles aching.

Whenever anyone knocks him
down, he always gets right up.

But, now, at thirty-seven, almost
thirty-eight? The question hangs.

He refuses to be the last man
struggling winded to the summit,

his eyes on the goal, the cyclist
ahead with bright yellow jersey,

blue eyes burning like gas jets
a-flame a-flame a-flame.

Christopher T. George