The Cowboys of New York
Manhattan, NY
February 10, 2008
They carry the food and
ride bicycles.
The worker bees of
Manhattan's food industry,
On sturdy bicycles they deliver
food across this great city.
Most of them speak little English and they'll go out in any weather,
Busiest when the conditions are worst, when New York
apartment dwellers burrow in.
On steel and rubber horses they ride,
saddle bags filled with hot foods of all
nations.
No complaints, they are grateful for tips gotten.
Bikes chained to trees, fences, and grates of the city.
Invisible but ever present,
Dodging traffic like NASCAR drivers.
In this city where home delivery of goods and services reign
supreme,
the bicycle man is the Cowboy of the city;
His range, the gridiron streets of Manhattan,
be they cold, hot, rainy, snowy or traffic-choked.
They ride and ride.
They are the Cowboys of New York.
© 2008 by Michael Domino