So I replaced this part on my bike; a metal piece that holds the derailer, twisted, stripped and prone to failure.

A part labelled K2#RK011. I kept the old one and love holding it.

The small, light, aluminum form once the masterfully engineered performance piece, now shredded and bent from years of abuse; a mechanical beast.

Housed within every scar and scrape of it’s naked metallic shimmer, an adventure, a hill, a crash, and countless miles.

I rubbed off the grease and tried to shine it and always admired the experience that took the soulless tool and refined it.

Every bend of unintention gave it unique features and it evolved into a primative and silent creature.

Cultured, tuned and acclimated, the piece now rests retired, perfectly situated- on my key chain.

Another collectable item, memento, and bragging right, dancing with my house keys and reflecting light.

Such a silly thing to capture a heart, ordinarily dismissed as another broken part. It cannot be sent to the scrap heap as it serves me well and is mine 4 keeps.

The mangled form that now catches the sun, telling of my many summer lit rides and runaway fun, is still my beloved original part number K2#RK011