big old dawg

sleeping outside the bar
an old chromed knucklehead engine
on a hard-tail frame
lies low to the ground

chopped, raked & stretched
with an over-extended
springer front end
the dog bone risers hold
the broomstick handle bars
in place

the suicide stick converted
to a chromed mouse trap shift
hides its age
while the black & silver metal
flake paint
of the teardrop gas tank
glows in the street light

master slides
onto the teaspoon saddle
pumps, primes & kicks
the motor over
it roars awake

settles into a loud idle growl
from the black chrome drag pipes
& with a sharp snapping bark
it pounces on the pavement
& howls into the night
left behind where it was parked
a small oil stain lies on the street

it’s not a leak
it’s just the bike
marking its turf.