Tyres are pumped and I'm dressed.
Step on to balcony to check outside: it's cold but not icy, still dark but light enough.
Pull on an extra layer, flick the coffee machine on and call the lift.
Downstairs cleats clatter on the tiled floor, and door bangs behind me
Steam belching from a broken duct
Up Madison and onto 34th. The Moon hangs above the street haloed by a ring of clouds like a veil.
Right onto 6th and sit behind a bus my lights strobing against the vodka advert, Starting to warm up now.
Pass the bus and swerve round the potholes, the jaywalkers oblivious to the traffic
A group of party girls on their way home in filmy dresses.
The early shift heading to the office
Street people on the move to keep warm
Supers hosing down the sidewalk
Move out past a delivery truck, bus holding back to give me space, turn and wave.
Into the park; temperature drops as the road clears.
Ease up to look around; new views of the city through th e now tree branches now bare of leaves
This place changes every day
Past the baseball diamond with its flags tattered like Tibetan prayer flags
Past the early morning runners and up the hill, get passed by a rider who celebrates victory in the race I haven't entered.
Thank the joggers who wave me through the crossing
Down the hill and into the right hander; ease off the roads are wet and then up the hill dodge the suicidal squirrel Sunrise over Manhattan makes me squint.
Was that the building where Lennon was shot?
What are they queuing for?
Back on the jogging route, more crowded now. Watch out for undisciplined dogs and their less sensible owners
Take the slip road back into the bustle of the city
In a rhythm now as I ride down 5th at one with the traffic
Slalom through the pedestrians crowding the road waiting for the lights to change
Dodge the potholes at the start of my block
Into the lift, open the apartment door to the smell of fresh coffee.
