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Gray Buckley found this, I am not one prone to sentimentality as those of you who know me are aware (!!), but from me a muffled tear, an inaudible sigh as I read it... Thank you Gray, I hope you do not mind that I cut & paste it here...
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Solo Ride West
Some unheard silver clock strikes thirteen,
And another special friend begins
His lone ride to the West.
I cannot go along, neither as partner nor pillion,
Yet something inside stirs to want me to understand
That I will meet again someday
With my friend and comrade who now
Throws a leg over, kicks up the stand,
And softly accelerates on his solo ride.
Dream a dream, my friend!
A dream of still, chilled mornings,
When dew dampens our saddles,
And our engine sings even before the songbirds awaken.
Dream a dream of spring rides,
When the smell of manure in the fields,
And the sound of soft tires on hard gravel
Blend with the soft flight of our machine
In ever more hopeful directions.
Dream of the warm, rich sunlight of summer
On mountains and plains stretching nearly forever.
Dream of shimmering heat, brilliant storms,
Soft rain, and fierce winds, which make our ride
The challenge that it must be to keep life’s focus.
Dream a dream of autumn’s relentless chill,
And the anticipation of a fire’s warmth
At the end of the day.
Dream of russet and gold leaves,
Scattering as our wheels pass – the sunlight
Glinting from whirling spokes.
Dream with me of frosty winter mornings,
And hard fought time off from work to play
Upon the sun dried roads,
Even up into our beloved mountains.
Dream of the glowing hope of upcoming spring.
I cannot go with you today, good friend.
I would that I could - turn, and bank, and fly
Along roads twisting to make us work
At our play - breathing the air of county lanes
And smelling the smells of life, and growth, and time.
It takes my bravest will and more, to bid you farewell,
And Godspeed on your solo ride, my friend.
I pray you go knowing, as I do,
That good friends will not be kept apart for long.
We will be there one day, at the end of our solo ride,
Facing a rally bonfire, loving the warmth of friendship,
Telling each other good stories of our journeys,
And our plans for tomorrow.
Dedicated to the memory of Rob Lentini, October 29, 1946 – September 11, 2004
© James Donley Shaw 2004
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