Volcano Run part 3 - Escaping the Ashfall
Part three
Once we were home, the bikes secure
we sealed the clubhouse, best we could
waiting for the ash to stop
but fearing that it never would,
All the TV news was dismal;
all predicting different things,
each with warnings dire and dreadful
of the dangers ashfall brings.
I dug out pairs of coveralls
and painter's masks for us to wear,
and cartons of survival food,
that we could eat and also share.
But 'though the food was fit to eat
it really wasn't that much fun.
And so I fitted out the bike
to make a needed grocery run.
I jerry rigged a workshop filter
and affixed it to the frame.
I used Duck Tape to seal it up
(it always works and that's it's fame).
I donned my old, red, zip up 'scoot suit'
then a helmet from the floor;
and thus attired I rolled the Harley
through the shed and out the door.
The ash was falling steadily,
at least six inches on the ground;
the wind was swirling heavily
and scattering it all around.
I primed the carbs and set the choke,
then kicked that dormant beast to life;
the snarling of the knucklehead
cut through the silence like a knife.
I cut the choke and idled down,
then inched her out toward the street
the engine loping gently now,
my heart in tune with it's slow beat.
There was no one else on the road,
no other life to make a sound;
just the knucklehead and me
with ashes swirling all around.
I tweaked the throttle with my wrist
to feed my steed a little more;
just enough to keep us moving,
not enough to make her roar.
Out on the street I looked around
not knowing which way I should go.
Then I notice traffic moving
in the distance, far below.
Then I remembered, at the bottom,
that would be the shopping strip;
always open to the public
so I then resumed my trip.
Down the hill we gently skidded
through the ash piles drifting there,
well away from roadbed's edges,
places of which to beware.
The parking lot was filling up;
I pulled up by the shopping carts.
I chained her to the bike rack there,
just as I did at other marts.
Once inside, I was surprised,
there was almost no one in the store
so I grabbed my stuff and paid for it
then quickly headed for the door.
Once outside I loosed my beast
and placed myself beside her;
I kicked her into life again,
and then I was astride her.
I point her nose back up the hill,
more sure now of her traction,
and she responds well to my lead,
which brings me satisfaction.
We reach the shed, I push her in,
and point her nose into her stall
and then I set the center stand
to make sure she won't fall.
I take the back pack from the back rest,
then I take it to the kitchen,
making sure not to leave tracks
So there will not be any in'
I take the foodstuffs from the pack
and place them gently on a shelf
and then withdraw because the rest
is what she said she'd do herself
And now that my job's finally done,
I'm going to sit and clean my gun.
Copyright ©
Russell Dodson
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