Roads Have Ears

Sunday. The People's Choice Classic Street Circuit is this afternoon.

In the bright morning, the teams are already warming up.

Richie is waiting for Simon Gerrans and Rohan Dennis, his team mates.

But they are late for some reason.

Pablo Neruda rides up.

Hola, Richie! I hear you have written a poem. Thirty-six Stratagems. This is a grand title.

Who told you? asks Richie.

It is all over the village, says Pablo. Sweezus too has written one.

You heard it? asks Richie.

Not yet, says Pablo Neruda. Arthur and me, we wrote several last year. But they were short ones.

Mine's a short one, says Richie.

This gives me a surprise, says Pablo. For thirty-six stratagems one expects longer.

It's short for a reason, says Richie. And I'd value your opinion.

Spill it out, says Pablo.

Wait a tick, says Richie. Roads have ears.

Ludwig Wittgenstein rides by. He appears to be slowing, to listen.

But there is nothing to hear yet. Ludwig continues cycling up Magill road.

Okay, says Richie. It's....well....see what you think of it....

He recites:

In the pure morning near the old ruin
early sunlight paints the trees
my path winds through a sheltered hollow
as I memorise the attacking strategy
favoured by Chiang Jian
number five chapter three
tossing out a brick
to get a jade gem.

Pablo is astonished. What is the meaning?

What do you reckon? asks Richie.

It's apparent that you are influenced by the Middle Tang poets, says Pablo. How much of it is you?

It's a pastiche, says Richie. But do you get the intention?

Si! says Pablo. You are tossing out a brick, I get that much.

Richie is disappointed. Pablo has only half got it. But perhaps it's as well. You don't want to give away your best stratagem just hours before the People's Choice Classic.

Gerrans and Dennis arrive, smelling of coffee.

Pablo and Team BMC head off in opposite directions.