Gyroscope

The spinning gyroscope offers considerable resistance, depending on the angular momentum, to any torque which would change the direction of the axis of spin. ----Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary Flashing downhill on his bike My son stands on the seat, Then pedals through gears That raise the pitch Of rubber on asphalt To a high whine, Jerks both wheels upward In a bunnyhop, Rears the front pony-like In a wheelie, flirts The back wheel left And right in kickouts, Jumps the curb and Screeches to a halt Grinning, ``See, Mom?''

I see the years of falling off

And getting on again;

The world tilt;

The gyroscope spin.

R. S. Chapman