Dedicated it to my father William 'Bill' Ricci 1942-2007
A Write To Ride
I've been riding motorcycles since I was five,
Pickup trucks and tractors since the age of ten.
The state said,"She needs a valid driver's liscence!"
Daddy just laughed, shook his head and said,"Yah~since when?"
One thing Daddy didn't count on,
Years ago, when he taught me to ride.
'The apple don't fall far from the tree.'
~Just like him, I have a wild side.
Through my adolescent years,
I got to know the town cops well.
Sometimes a warning or two, here and there,
Sometimes, hundred dollar bail, or- a cell!
So, here's alittle story,
Of a day, I followed my wild heart.
Threw on my cutoff jeans and T-shirt,
Grabbed my dirt-bike, and jumped the kick-start.
Down the hill and through the fields,
Past the tree where sunflowers grow.
Onto the trail where I often ride,
To a place of butterflies, I know.
As the wind tickles my face;
With the motor's gallop song.
On impulse I change my path,
Going where I don't belong.
Although, Daddy warned
~A thousand, plus times;
"Tammy Jo, don't cross that highway!"
I know it's those hills, I MUST climb.
Now, I have broken these rules,
Many times, I must admit.
To get to that swimming hole,
This time..they'll be no regret!
I shift into fourth,
Approaching the highway looks clear.
Like a bat out of moses I ride,
Hey, speed always chases away fear!
I blow through the county road,
Fueled with an Evel Knievel soul.
Suddenly, I hear cherry sirens,
Look back, and laugh at whose on patrol!
The town sheriff, I know him quite well.
Around here, we call him 'Captain Big Gun'.
Back in the day, he chased Daddy.
Dad always said,"He's to fat to run!"
I jump over the creek bed,
~and he splashes across.
This time he's out for blood,
Just to prove he's the boss.
On my tail he rides me close,
It's time for a master plan.
On a hill I slow to an idle stop,
~and out of the squad rolls the fat man.
As he comes panting up the hill,
I try to look innocent and smile.
Then he slides face down in the mud,
Cursing my family's name all the while!
Entertained, I stay put,
Watching the egg try and climb.
As he sweats and grunts his way to the top,
I ask with a shrug,"Sheriff, what's the crime?"
Whose he kidding with those cuffs?
Does he really think I'd give in?
He hollers,"Turn it off, and drop that bike!"
"Not today!" I smirk, wink and grin.
" you see, I'm already in to deep!
I might as well take a quick ride.
Sheriff, if you can catch me~
Then kindly, I'll sure abide."
On that note I opened throttle,
I never seen that much mud spray!
I gave a 'come and get me smile',
He ate my dirt, as I sped away!
Down the hill like Humpty he went,
Must have been gravities toll.
Now, I really would have stayed to help,
~but I had summer callin', and a sweet smoke to roll!
~~~~
Kicked back out by that swimming hole,
Watching the sun fade away;
I took another toke to savor,
~and decided to call it a day.
Then I thought of my options,
Dusting the sand to go home.
The moon and a campfire?
Or-a jail cell all alone?
Hmmmmm..
Later that night I remember thinking,
While I warmed my young bones by the fire.
One day, I'll race motorcycles!!
Nah. I'd rather be a writer.
Now, I sure do LOVE fast bikes,
~and I know, I can ride like hell!
But who needs 'life in the fast lane',
When ya got all these stories to tell...
*wink*
+Miss you, Dad!
