Let the fire of my body

propel and warm me

and let each darkness

reveal its plenitude.

Let the hills

flatten under my wheels

and let the eloquent curves

yield up their good surprise.

Let my heart be obstinate

when I need to climb

and let my lowliest gears

restrain my spinning down.

Let there be flat land, too,

and into that glittering place

let me stretch with the heart of a lover,

at full speed, blind and intent.

~ Barbara Hendryson