reach down beneath
mustard yellow tank
to the stopcock there
and opened the flow
to neutral shift
open the clutch
lightly in leap up
and kick down hard
blip the throttle
till the engine settles
click into gear
engage the clutch
open the throttle
the engine roars
the bike leaps ahead
and your smile spreads
in distance far
they softly hear
a soft murmur
growing near
a twisting road flows
through growing trees
and rolling hills
across the land
they can hear
the engine fade
and roar again
with each shifting gear
far away
on the last curve
they now can see
it growing near
bright sun glitters
on highlighting chrome
in nest of tubes
all black as night
the roaring gathers
rushing near
as the rider
races into view
tight black curls
over short beard
in wind ripples
flowing free
sleeveless vest
and blue jeans
cowboy boots
stained with oil
rushing by
his hand rising
a salute made
a fist in the air
the wind of passing
blows across you
scent of engine
and he heated oil
flying by
you can see
on shoulders broad
Triumph
racing away
the roaring fades
the rider dwindles
fading away
down the road
into twisting turn
among the trees
lost now from view
wind rushes freely
blowing through the clothes
cooling the sweat
from the sun beating down
shifting weight lightly
throttle and brakes work
setting up the line
for the next curve
aiming for nowhere
no goal is insight
just a open road
in afternoons light