Early 2002
     Commuting on a motorcycle - Hilo to Kona. Temperatures are high 80s at sea level to low 30s at 8,000 ft, then back to sea level. Not having the money to invest in electrically warmed gear, I start at sea level in panty-hose, leggings, socks, jeans, and on top I wear a sleeveless turtle-neck pullover, a t-shirt, and then have a whole slew of other shirts stuffed in my saddle bag. As it gets colder, I put on what I need, and peel it off layer by layer on the other side of the "hill." For gloves, in winter time I wear the water-proof gauntlets by Technic.
     The Nighthawk's tranny sticks out about where the pegs would be on a cruiser, so I can put my feet there and warm my boots! The grips are kind of thin rubber, so if I put a heavy rubber band on the right one, I have a throttle lock, and my hands can take turns getting warm on the engine. Keep a thermos of hot coffee on the luggage rack, and one of those little apple pies in a tin wedged between the heads. I just focus on, "I can stand ANYthing for 40 minutes! It only gets warmer after the summit!" Get down to the Saddle/Mamalahoa junction and reward myself with coffee and hot apple pie! 

April 16, 2002
     I put a bicycle "oogah" horn on my bike as a temporary measure while I wait for my new horn. I plan to keep it as the little kids like it so much - The kids in my neighborhood like to wave at "the motorcycle lady."
     A nearby store has a coin-operated kiddy-bike at the front door. Nearby is the bikestand, and they also allow us to park the "big bikes" there. One day I was coming out and some teens were sitting on the kiddy-bike. A dad was standing nearby consoling his toddler son who gotten aced off the ride. Dad and I smiled at each other and I "eyebrowed" toward my bike. That little guy had a blast "riding" my bike and beeping a REAL horn at the other bike! The teens just sort of wandered away.  

June 18, 2002
     My neighbor's lawnmower was stolen last night. Seems that right now anything with a small engine is at risk. Suspicion is that they are being ripped off for go-carts, as we have a lot of races in the summer. So the original vandals may not have been so much after my bike (an older, not terribly sporty commuter), but after his ENGINE!

August 28, 2002
     (For those interested in seeing the variety of pets which live with motorcyclists, check this string: http://forums.about.com/ab-motorcycles/messages?msg=12492.31&redirCnt=1)

     Baika's Mom's owners say her mother is an Australian Spanial (whatever that is) and that Dad is a yellow lab. I've never seen her parents. Baika looks more and more like a golden all the time, to me, and people who raise goldens often comment on "your beautiful Golden pup." So I'm thinking that maybe dad was someone other than the lab. I'll probably quit telling people about the stated lineage and just agree that she's a lovely golden. She has a very sweet nature, loves to snuggle, but is not pushy about getting in your lap. When she eats, she picks up one piece of kibble and takes it far away from the bowl and eats it, then she trots back to the bowl and gets another piece of kibble. . . . . She is very dainty and ladylike in her behavior. A bit of a girly-girl. I used to raise German Shepherds, which are very different in nature. The females usually had a bit of "Tomboy" in them. Baika is all girl.

     She is currently staying at a friend's house with his dog, J. We've been calling him Uncle J., as he had taken Baika under his wing (paw?). He is teaching her to only bark at people when they stop at the fence, not if they keep walking. He plays with her, and  generally keeps her in line.

     Today, I have to take Baika to the vet. Probably I'll have to bungie my haulin' box to the bike and secure her inside it.

     Baika used to love to ride with me. She had her own little harness/leathers which clipped to my jacket belt, and a little do-rag to which I had sewn goggles. Her ears are so long and floppy they really take a beating in the wind, so I would tuck them into the do-rag. But one dark and stormy night, we got caught away from home. Baika turned her head to watch a car pass and her do-rag and goggles were blown off her head. My jacket is too tight to tuck her inside (and she has grown too big anyway), so the next 20 miles was pretty miserable for her. She'll follow me to the bike, but she won't get on if the motor is running. She'll sit on the bike if it is in the garage and the gate is closed.

     I had hoped to take her bird hunting. When I get the Virago running, I plan to re-outfit the Nighthawk for more dual-purpose. But if Baika won't ride with me, then I can't take her. I'm hoping I can get her used to the bike again, taking her on short runs when the weather is nice.

September 2002
     Rode with an off-island MC for Labor Day. Re: Newbies in a group ride - I was placed near the back and next to a very experienced rider, and directly behind an MSF instructor. Experienced riders were placed between the newbies. I was instructed to ride my own ride and signal if I was feeling uneasy or intimidated. If that happened, my partner and I were to drop out of the pack, let me rest, talk over what was bothering me, and then catch up at the next stop. I was apprehensive, but the way the ride was set up, I was soon enjoying myself and for the return trip was moved up to the front half of the pack beside a woman I had made friends with and my partner returned to his more usual position beside his best friend.
     I think it is important to be honest about one's skill level. Of all the people I have met in the past year only one, and he is pretty much a recognized jerk, put me down for my skill level. Everyone else has been super encouraging and helped me to improve. 
     The two guys who dropped their bikes on the LD run had "oversold" themselves and told people they were much more experienced then they really were. There is a big difference between "I've been riding for 30 years," and "I rode 30 years ago."
     After the "official" LD run, a couple of the ladies and I decided we wanted more riding and headed out to Kea`au. We rode one at point and two side-by-side, taking turns at point. We kept it tight because on that stretch of road, if there is room for half a cage, a whole cage will try and squeeze in. We flipped on blinkers a little before we would if riding solo, flashed the brake light three times for planned speed changes, and used hand signals. One of the ladies had been riding 20 years, the other 35, and I was the newbie with just over a year. I was really honored when they complimented me on my riding and invited me to ride with them on O`ahu.

October 8, 2002
     When last we tuned in, Hula Rider was lying on the ground, her faithful, but wounded and unconcious Virago lying on her, unwittingly holding her captive as the Evil Dodge Ram slowly, inexorably, ground toward her, sunlight glinting menacingly off it's chrome grille.
     Rescued by concerned bystanders who were willing to give statements to the police after the Ram escaped, Hula ignored her own minor, but beautifully Technicolor, injuries to care for the stricken Virago.
     In today's episode, the local constabulary track the fleeing Ram to its lair, escaping with a statement. . . . . .
     So, it seems the guy is now claiming that I threw the bike in reverse and hit HIM! Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . .

October 21, 2002
     Just returned from Houston. Did not see as many bikes per mile as here in the islands, but have developed a great fear of riding on freeways, and am thinking of never attempting to do so. Tuesday night I was heading back to the hotel via taxi, and saw aftermath. A guy in a dress shirt and slacks riding a sportbike, and a small sedan merged into the same lane at the same time. The car's driver door was dinged, the bike looked mostly ok. The rider didn't. I could not find any reference in the Houston paper or on radio, so I'm hoping that means he survived.
     It was a little challenging getting on my bike to make the three hour drive home after I arrived in Kona. Made it safely, though, and feel much better now. Riding gives one all kinds of new things to put in one's evening prayers! 
     I flew in to Keahole Friday night and went to Summer's home. She babysat Virago Marissa while I was in Houston. Saturday night I performed at the Na`alehua Theater, opening for dear friends, Keoki Kahumoku and Herb Ota Jr. It was a wonderful evening. They had asked me to perform my own compositions, which was really fun as I usually perform traditional Hawaiian music, and watch OTHERS perform MY stuff! Then I danced hula for them during their set.
     I'm pretty much healed up now - but for a while the insides of my thighs had the most spectacular rainbow-colored imprints of motorcycle parts!  Mostly my right knee is still a bit touchy and I have to try and rest it as much as possible. It got wrenched during the part where the Ram looked like it might not stop - bike was pinning my foot down and Ram was slowly grinding over it toward me. After that, I don't think I could ever bring myself to use one of those steel-jaw traps to catch anything!
     I can't use the "leaving the scene" in court as I also left the scene, even though it was after he did. So the cops said they'd have to cite both of us or neither of us, my choice. The cops said I should have remained there, had the station attendant make the call, and then they could have seen the bike, the damage to the bike, and checked out any associated scrapes on the concrete with the bike in situ. NOW I know!

October 22, 2002
     OK, repairs to Marissa will be $1750. The insurance company wants to call the bike a total and pay me $1700 for the bike. I can buy the bike back for $50. Problem - You cannot re-certify a motorcycle frame in the state of Hawai`i once it is declared totaled. All the salvage title gives you is legal documentation on what is now officially a pile of bike parts. The bike cannot be legally registered or ridden.
     The Ram's insurance co. says they can reconsider if I can provide documentation that my bike is worth more than $1700.
     Marissa is a 1985 frame for a Virago 700. She carries a 1992 engine. Her engine has 38000 miles on it. What would you pay for that bike, or sell it for?

The bike in question   

October 23, 2002
     Thanks to forum member advice, and the integrity of the insurance agent, I have a verbal from the insurance company that they are willing to give me $1650 AND let me keep clear title! I'll have to sign a paper saying that I won't ask for any more money.
     It looks like Marissa's frame is in pretty good shape - I believe in helmets! I had placed my helmet on the right-hand saddle bag while I was waiting for the Harley to fill up - I have a bungee there which I run through the chin guard to keep the helmet from falling off the bike (cuz the helmet lock is a pain to use). It appears that the right engine guard absorbed the stress to the front of the frame, and my helmet, trapped between the seat and the ground, took the stress for the back. On the back end, only the signal light assemblies need replacing. I also had full saddle bags, so one strap was torn off, but the tightly rolled rain gear and the water bottles helped to cushion the bike. But, judging by the dings and scrapes on the helmet and the scratches my boot left on the bike's chrome and paint, my helmet is credited with actually keeping the weight of the bike off my lower leg and foot, so I was just trapped, not squished. Helmets really DO work!
     So,  I should be able to get Marissa all back in fightin' trim if I just take her to the shop and drop her off. If I buy after-market parts and do the labor myself, I'll also be able to get a new paint job (she had gotten new paint about 2 months before she went down) and the instruments re-chromed!
     NOW - here is where it gets weird again: The guy is still sticking to his story, and is insisting that the insurance company NOT pay off - he wants to take me to court and has declared that he is going to hire a private detective to investigate me. What on earth could that possibly accomplish?
     Why would he care?  I recently learned that he is a part-time commercial truck driver. If he is held responsible for this, then he loses his CDL, which means he is out of work. I feel bad for anyone who is out of work, but at this point, with his attitude, I am hopeful that he will be kept off the public roadways. From some of the comments he has made, I am beginning to wonder if he actually tried to push my bike out of his way to teach me "a lesson." He also is claiming that the folks who were riding the rental Harley in front of me and who have been questioned as witnesses are old friends of mine and that we are in cahoots on this.
     The guy does not realize is that intimidation is a lousy way to get me to back off. Besides, I actually live a pretty boring life. Any private investigator checking ME out will quit out of sheer boredom!

October 29
     Ooohhhhh - parking a motorcycle. I have found that FOR ME, parking is best accomplished with the engine running. If I start to drop, I do a little throttle, clutch, brake dance and use the engine to pull the bike back up straight. So I leave it in 1st for all slow work, backward or forward. (But by now we all know about my super-secret stealth reverse Virago! Hee hee!)

October 31, 2002

                                           It's nice to have friends.

     Actually, I generally ride alone. I've been reading in the motorcycle forum about riding with and without other people. I've logged about 28K solo miles since purchasing my bike on 8 August 2001. I've logged about 2K miles riding with others. I find that experience level and rider personality are the determining factors in my enjoyment of riding with others. I know many more male riders than female riders. Given equal experience levels, I find women to be slightly more conservative. But one of the biggest squids I know is a woman, and my BF is one of the most conservative riders I know (when sober). Both have been riding about 30 years. 
     New anecdote: Last night I met a friend at his place of business and we rode to his house. We were going to a political rally and as it was only a block from his house, decided to park the bikes there and walk over. Again, he has about 30 years of riding experience. The guy is a bike mechanic, retired from racing, built and raced his own machines. Well, the ride from his workplace to his house was only four blocks, but I quickly learned that I do not want to ride with him again. I had never been to his house before and did not know where it was. He paused briefly at the drive exit, then zipped into traffic. He was around the next corner before I was out of the drive. I come to a complete stop at signs, and put my foot down. It is the law here. He pauses and zips through. I'd get about halfway down the block, and he'd be through the sign, across the street and halfway to the next sign. When he made the next turn, there were cars between us, so I did not see him turn. But I figured he must have as I could not see him ahead. Had he turned right, I could have seen him, so it must have been left. By the time I caught up to him, I was getting rather irked. Next time I will just tell him to set a place and we will meet there. The only other person I know who rides like that is the lady squid. (Both show similar characteristics off the bike, too.)
     Everyone else I have ridden with waits at the stopsign for the other person to pull up along side. If traffic is light, the lead pulls out and the tail immediately follows. If traffic is heavy, we cross the street one at a time and ride slowly until the other catches up.

November 4 
     I know I'm terribly remiss! It's a matter of getting a camera, me, and Baika in the same place at the same time. She's grown a BUNCH! She lost her doo-rag and goggles in a storm, and shortly after that she outgrew her leathers, so I was stuffing her in my BIG jacket for trips to the vet, now she is too big even for that! Her bark is starting to deepen, and she is becoming very protective of Steve's house and yard. I miss her terribly. I guess I better not ditch Steve, the custody battle over Baika would be AWFUL!  :-)

November 11, 2002
     A friend was visiting me from out of town. She loves to ride, but currently does not have a bike. I phoned some friends to see if anyone was heading out where we wanted to go and if they didn't mind a passenger. One of the guys TOTALLY dressed me down! Among HIS cohorts, ya DON'T ride behind unless yer th' OL' LADY. Period. Exclamation Point! If yer NOT th' ol' lady, then wanting to ride behind means ya WANNA BE th' ol' lady.
     Well, with my orientation, and several of the folks with whom I ride, our bikes are basic transportation. The passenger goes with the bike and rider most capable of carrying him or her safely. If I'm on my Nighthawk, we'll move the luggage to my bike, because I've got a rack and big bags. It's set up to get the groceries (and smaller construction materials) home. If I'm on the Virago, I'll take the passenger, because it's got the most comfy pillion.
     So, my tendency is to want to meet new people who share common interests. If I see a car with a hula decal, or a stack of musical instruments inside, I'll mosey over and chat, or flag the person down for a drink. If I show up somewhere with my guitar, and a group (male, female, or mixed) hales me, I'll go over and have a few, talk music, trade numbers etc. Recently made a really good contact with one of our ritzier hotels that way.
     It seems that I need to re-calibrate my "jerk meter." I think people always put out signals, some more subtle than others. Harumph.

December 28
     Ummmmmm, a little secret - I can't get away on as little sleep as I think I can. dropped the Vulcan today. The main contributing factor was drowsiness. I had taken an antihistimine, which usually does not bother me as I am so used to them. but I was a little sleepy, too. Started looking for a place to pull over and nap before heading on to Kona. Must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew, there was a truck stopped ahead of me. Tried maximum braking, but was on wet oil. Went down, skidded 15-20 feet on the left, leg under bike. THANK GOD for good leathers. Left knee is swollen, stiff but bike took it worse than I did. Twisted bar/triple-tree, dented tank, ground up the headlamp and housing, left turn signal. Left some nice long grooves in the asphalt. I think that was the feeler on the left peg. Fortunately my saddlebags held weight of the bike off me. I think I may get engine guards for my Virago.
     The biggest bruising is to my ego, the second to Steve's bike. Poor guy. I've gone down on BOTH his bikes, now. I just dread telling him about this one. I keep looking for something to blame it on, but all I can come up with is me.
     Ummmmm - YEAH! Space Aliens suddenly teleported in front of the bike and hit me with a paralyzing freeze ray which made my foot heavy, so I locked up the back brake, but I WUDDA pulled it out of the fish tail, but  then they had me in their tractor beams. . . . . .  No?
     Just looked at the leathers again and unwrapped the knee to take a peek. I am SOOOOOOOOOO grateful for those leathers. The chaps were the heaviest of the cheap ones at the Harley shop, now going on two years old as I bought them before I bought the bike. When I first started riding I was on borrowed wheels. The jacket is a very heavy large men's jacket that was given to me by a friend when he bought his new one. It had a broken zipper and torn lining, but as the leather is much thicker than my old (circa 1984) jacket, I had it repaired and have been wearing it.
      MAN, if that had been denim or skin, there would not be much 'left' of my leg!
     About a year ago BearKat, of About.com, started a string on habits and superstitions that we engage in before riding? I just now realized that I was so sleepy when I jumped on the bike, it is the first time I did not say my little riding prayer. I think even for those who do not believe in prayer, there has to be an admission that a centering and focusing before riding is a good thing.
     I want so much for my own bike to be back on the road. I feel really bad trashing Steve's bikes. And I just spend so much time on the road, and go such 'interesting' places, stuff happens.
     I've been reviewing this over and over. Right now, I'm pretty sure I fell asleep briefly. No other reason I did not see that truck sooner. 
     It's like I have a slo-mo video playing in my head. Whenever I've gotten into trouble, I have never had that "life flashes before your eyes" thing. It's always been, "STUUUUUPID!" immediately followed by a rapid-fire assessment of the predicament which is rapidly worsening and attempts to pull out.
     This time, the thought process was, "STUUUUUUPID! Bike! BIKE! BIKE! GOD OH GOD OH GOD DON'T HURT THE BIKE!!!!" Once down, as I was sliding, the back slid around me, with my left leg as the central pivot point. Made a full circle, so I ended up with the bike facing the original direction. As I spun, I remember looking back down the road to check traffic, thinking if someone looked like they would hit me, I'd try to roll away from the bike, as I did not know how long I would slide. It came to a stop pretty quickly. Judging by the scrapes in the road, 15-20 feet.  A white truck was coming up behind me, and flipped on his flashers. Parked so his truck acted as a roadblock and he and someone from across the street ran to me and helped pick up the bike. When they reached me, I had the bike partway up, but the oily road was slick and it kept sliding away from me, so the help was really appreciated.
     Remember that string about whether it is better to try and ride it out or to "lay it down" if you are coming up on something? I vote for riding it out. Seems like the bike is fully capable of laying itself down,so I don't need to do it on purpose. And even while skidding, I had some minimal control by using the front kind of like a rudder. But once down, I had no control whatsoever.

December 30

I took a walk to the post office today, knee carefully inserted in brace. I'm not used to that walk taking so long, and got there after it closed - there was one window sort of open, and I thought about begging them to let a poor injured girl who had walked so far on her injured knee get her mail, but I didn't want to admit to my stupidity!

Yep, I am SURE GLAD I was wearing my full set. I have noticed that Dr. Tramp, one of the best riders it has been my privilage to tag along with, ALWAYS wears full gear, no matter how hot or short the trip.

Now that I have them more cleaned up, the chaps look a bit like someone ran a power grinder over my left leg and bumped my left jacket sleeve. No way would denim have survived the depth of those gouges.  When I picked them up this AM to put them away, the buckle fell off. The leather had been stretched enough to pop the stitching. I figure that if the chaps took that kind of stress, BOY was I glad I had them on!

So, if you are into the human physiology of a minor motorcycle accident, here is a report which shows the effiacy of wearing leathers (warning, may gross out some people):

Total assessment of me:

1) Bottom left rib has a hairline fracture
2) Left knee is perfectly round and now starting to turn spectacular shades of purple and red. I can hardly wait for the yellows and greens to set in!-) You can actually see lines where the stitching on my jeans and chaps was pressed into the skin. Knee is in a brace now cuz the ligaments are stretched and it flops a little sideways, but nothing broken.
3) Both thumbs are pretty sore and the ligaments are stretched. Makes you really appreciate those opposable digits!
4) Interesting cut on my left forearm. About 3" long. I'm told it is a fine tear which can happen when the skin is suddenly stretched and snaps back.
5) A perfectly round ring-shaped bruise on my right tit. Gee, it's a perfect match with the end of the right grip! Go figure!
6) Assorted patches of abraided, thinned, and blistered skin on left arm and leg. Very minor, but interesting, as they appear to be friction burns. I'm assuming from my clothing suddenly sliding against the skin.
7) Generalized stiffness and tenderness, and a HUGE respect for the protective qualities of leather.

Anyway, did I mention how glad I am I was wearing all my gear?

Saturday, June 21 - Sunday, June 22, 2003

Saturday evening, I rode up to the Onizuka Visitor Center at Mauna Kea's 9,000 foot level. I had jewelry to deliver (I'm one of the VC vendors) and wanted to attend the cultural program. I also had been invited to attend Sunday's dawn ceremony at the summit as a guest of the Royal Order of Kamehameha.

Leaving Hilo, Ka Ua Kani Lehua, Hilo's famous rain, was making the leaves dance in the fading light. Lilinoe had draped the upper Saddle Road in mist. I rode slowly, flashing my brake lights, hoping that if someone was driving faster that I, they would see my little red glow.

EVENING CULTURAL PROGRAM 

I arrived safely, though late, and tried to sneak in to the cultural program. It was on the hula. I especially wanted to hear the mana`o (thought) of Kumu Leilehua, who would be speaking on the ancient hula which was so sacred only men consecrated to the temple were allowed to dance. 

It is hard to sneak in when you are dripping wet, wearing heavy riding boots, and your leathers smell like a large wet dog! Koa, the lovely and gracious lady who coordinates the cultural evenings immediately spotted me and conscripted me to join the program! She announced, "Here is a kumu, right here! Since the original Leilehua who was going to give the program can not be here, another Kumu Leilehua has been sent us to give the program!" What could I do, but agree?

It was a lovely program, two haumana, I don't remember if they were students of Johhny Lum Ho or of Ray Fonseca, gave a sweet demonstration, teaching the audience to dance "The Hukilau." They demonstrated various implements and showed the kinds of costumes worn for different hula. Then they asked me to speak on the ancient hula and to perform. We all had a grand time!

I have attended other programs at the VC, and highly recommend them. The Hawaiian Cultural programs are given each third Thursday of the month.

STAR GAZING

After the cultural program, which was held in the lowe building, we returned to the VC proper, where telescopes were set up. Until 10:00 pm, we were able to use these instruments, free of charge, to see so many beautiful celestial sites! This is an area I have very little knowledge in - I only know some children's stories of constellations which my grandparents told me for bedtime stories, so I only know a few of the Hawaiian constellations, and some from the Greek legends my mother read to me. I was very impressed by the volunteers and their knowledge of the stars - tossing about names like MC-357 and Antares-Ceti-B or whatever it was. . . ALL Greek to me (or is it Latin?).

Star Gazing is done each night, and the public is invited. Hot coffee, tea, and coco are available by donation - suggested is $1 per cup. Other snacks and beverages may be purchased.

SOLSTICE CEREMONY

The remaining reason for riding up that night was yet to come - At Dawn, the Royal Order of Kamehameha would greet the sun and hold ceremony at the summit of Mauna Kea. I had been invited to join them. Mauna Kea Support Services opened Hale Pohaku for those participating in the ceremony, providing snacks and beverages. Arnotts Lodge donated vans to transport ROK members from Hilo, and to transport all of the participants to the top parking lot. As there is no road to the summit, we would walk the rest of the way. 

There was much good fellowship that night, with people of many different aspects of spirituality participating. Many kept vigil all night, singing, talking, sharing. The aloha in the room was floating about like Lilinoe's mantle. 

Just before dawn, we all piled into the vans and headed toward heaven. We parked and unfolded ourself onto the parking lot, then walked to the edge where we chanted to greet the sun. How beautiful! Golden light illuminated the sky - bands of blue and gold and green, with the clouds shimmering white beneath, rolling to the mountain like the sea. "E ala e! Ka La i kahikina!. . . ." At last the sun, a golden ball, was fully above the clouds.

We then hiked down the path which leads to the summit cone. At the lowest point, we rested. Gathering our strength, we resumed the walk, now steeply uphill.

Once at the summit, the ceremony unfolded. Practitioners of several religions participated, and there were many prayers for unity and harmony for all humanity. It was a beautiful example of bending cultures, while still maintaining respect for and integrity of the traditions of our own `aina.

Finally, we shared ka wai ola, the waters of life, said our final prayers, and returned the way we had come. 

Arriving back at Hale Pohaku, we were treated to a huge breakfast, for which we were surely ready!

After breakfast, we said our goodbys and prepared for our journies home. It was a perfect day for a ride, and I felt as though my bike was being carried on a gentle breeze as I followed the twists and turns of the Saddle to my home.

Monday, July 15, 2003

Saddle Road, 04:00, Leaving Hilo

That's the moon up there, big and round and shining
Pulling my heart forward over my handlebars

I ride an unmarked track of silver sheen

My single headlamp flings its own light ahead
Plucking imperfections from the asphalt
Enlarging them in black relief
Against the bright road
Which sways easily, rising steadily

I feel a palpable cold
It spreads under my leather
Seeps through my denim
And my skin tightens

The engine fires rapid cadence
Hammering the cold air
I reach down
And let the engine warm my left hand

The moon still draws me on

The thin mist brightens in the beams of an oncoming car
I am trapped by their glare
And must force myself to watch the right edge of the road
At last I understand the hearts of moths