A Sestina You Would Harley Notice

Paul C. Burk

A Sestina you would Harley notice.

No mere mortal will ever ride a Hog 
that shines and gleams in all its chrome 
and paint. It’s a steed to search for one’s spirit, 
a quest one hopes will never come to an end,
 forcing one to ride an endless journey clad in leather 
and boots.  All this. one’s armor, makes one feel like a god. 

The power I control is that of a god 
because it feels unlimited upon this Hog.  
I learn to love the feel of the beautiful black leather 
and the way it looks on me in contrast to the chrome 
of the beast that could easily end 
my existence and destroy my spirit.

A Harley-Davidson is the best way I set my spirit 
free. They call me Thor, the god 
of Thunder, for I control all that I see and all this end-
less power stems from one source, this fantastic Hog.
All strength and fury are reflected in my chrome 
heart as well as my mighty hands wrapped in leather.

Deep within this man, beneath studded leather, 
is a powerful force, a relentless spirit 
that shines free, as much as the sun reflecting off the chrome 
exhaust pipes, which call out, as does this god 
a force to be reckoned with a man and his Hog.
If you cross one, you cross both, which will be your end.

The iron horse is my true friend.  
Tougher than an army grunt or any leather-
neck marine.  It’s a vicious machine, the awesome Hog.  
Within this beast lies a relentless spirit 
that needs to be controlled, and controlled by a god.  
We need each other; our joy is glimmering chrome.

The man and the beast like paint and chrome 
forever together riding always until the end 
when one day I will be called to answer the gods 
wearing my boots and clad in my best leather.  
I will answer them truthfully with a strong spirit 
that I share as one with the mighty Hog.

There is nothing finer on a Hog than bright beautiful chrome 
which reflects a spirit whose power will never end 
and is as strong as leather and as omnipotent as a god.

Paul C. Burk
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

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A   Avatar
April 10, 2016 at 1:24 AM
Paul Burk, you've expressed yourself well, I enjoyed your poem. ~LINDA~
A  Avatar
August 28, 2015 at 7:22 PM
PAUL, Enjoyed this very much... SKAT
Brown Avatar
May 13, 2010 at 4:56 AM
I would like to welcome you to PoetrySoup Paul. Wishing you the best in your writing endeavors. If you have questions please feel free to ask anyone here. We are all willing to help and if we don't know the answer we will find someone who does. Love, Carol
Anymore Avatar
May 12, 2010 at 8:45 AM
Excelent; I've never read a poem about or have ridden a motorcycle so this was enlightning. Nice pun up there and the meter flows better than most too. I hope though, your hog doesn't tip over from the weight of your head Mr. god. ;)
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