The Snowflake Chronicles

Just Let off the Clutch!

11 Nur 163 B.E. – June 14 – 15, 2006 A.D.

Just Let off the Clutch!

I am riding a Harley,
the chrome hand controls
reflecting the setting sun, as I ride
west along the I95.

Am I running away?

Behind and around me bright lights
reveal a multitude of
other bikers, black leather jackets
and white helmets hide
both their identities and their genders.

Who are these people? Where are we going?

I am riding a Harley,
someone is on the bitch seat of my bike
his voice is the wind in my ears
whispering, laughing.

Why?

We are riding across the Mojave,
moving east toward the sunrise;
on either side of the highway
are cathedrals, mosque, pagodas, churches, and stone temples;
clouds gather along the crest of distant mountains
and I smell rain.

Did I see a flash of lightning? Am I dreaming?

Lightning strikes the road ahead, thunder rolls,
rain pours down,
snow follows,
then it hails.

Is this a prophecy or a dream?

I am riding a Harley,
steering my bike through fields of wheat,
racing my bike through city streets,
driving nonstop around the world;
I am riding a Harley,
someone sits behind me
on the bitch seat with his arms around my waist;
I am riding a Harley,
I am wearing a black leather jacket
and a golden helmet …
I am riding a Harley!

Am I nervous or uneasy or just happy?

I am riding a Harley,
traveling across the planet,
with someone behind me
whispering,
telling me not to be afraid
of the dark
someone encouraging
me to go beyond the limits of fear,
I hear his deep voice,
I feel his strong arms around my waist.

Who is he?

I never see his face,
he rides on the bitch seat of my Harley saying:
“Just let off the clutch!”