28 APRIL 1990, Page 25

Cycling Uphill

Cycling uphill, you leading masterful rhythmic kneading of the the rough country air into slipstreams of hair all this energy in gear every muscle-stroke clear and fluid as fresh water you, the shop-keeper's daughter and I, the suspect poet as if you didn't know it the way your father treats me every time he meets me — he is striving uphill too against the threat of losing you.

Fred Johnston