-the two wheel rag-

to lubricate the chain

turn the bike upside down

remove the guard

lube the bearings at the hub

then lightly oil the chain's links

while spinning the back wheel

fast by the pedal.

this spinning is unnecessary

but fun to do, a tactile experience

impressing the girls

as a clever procedure.

we didn’t react to their interest

but we knew about bikes.

we knew about exposure.

the girls knew about attitude

and striking distance.

these natural attributes

would serve them well.

the boys will soon grow out of date.

they’ll have fallen behind

and the girls will have waited long enough.

that’s when they introduce themselves.

that’s what's happened, boy.

that’s what's happened, young man.

that’s what’s happened, old-timer.