A new cycle.
My-- this is was my 35th birthday poem and of course,
the news cycle refers to--
as you see, we'll refer to two things.
A new cycle.
My father buying me the bicycle that time was
an unusual thing for him to do.
He believed that a parent's duty meant
the necessities food, clothing, shelter, and music lessons.
[LAUGHTER]
I had hardly dared to ask him for it
and I didn't believe he really meant to buy me one,
until I saw him take out the money
and hand it over $8 second hand, but newly painted and good
rubber.
And I couldn't thank him, a hug was out of the question
with us.
So I just got up on it and rode away shakily.
And then I made him ride it, he didn't even
know he was supposed to say it was a good bike.
I rode off on it into a new life paper route, pocket money,
dances and other towns where the girls found me attractive.
And sexual adventures that would have
made my father's hair stand up in horror had he known.
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
Daddy, I can thank you now for the bike you gave me,
which meant more to me than you knew
or could have stood to know.
[LAUGHTER]
I rode away to everywhere it could take me, until finally it
took me to this know-- nowhere, there's no place I am now.
I just passed my 35th birthday, the end of a second seven year
cycle and the beginning of a new one
and sure enough I woke up the first day quite empty,
everything over with nothing to do and no ideas for the future.
Daddy, whom I now can hug and kiss
who gives me money when I ask.
What shall I do with this life you gave me,
that can not be junked like a bicycle when it wears out?
Is it utterly ridiculous for a man 35 years old and graying
to sit-in his father's lap and ask for a bike,
even if he needs one.
[LAUGHTER]
Whom shall he ask if not his father.
Daddy, darling daddy, please, buy me a bicycle.
[APPLAUSE]