The Sky Has Fallen and the Night Has Broke

The Sky Has Fallen and The Night Has Broke


When the torque of my desire becomes unbearable
left hand closes and the clutch disengages
motorcycle lifts up on its frame
and somehow I rise free of this earth

V-twin spins at five thousand rpm
against nothing at all with nowhere to catch
just a gyroscope in these loops of light blue
rock steady on invisible rollercoaster tracks

Momentum pushing to almost tumbling
this rush of motion on and gone
Is it distance covered?getting past the atmosphere?
or time?when night begins to drop?

No matter,
at dark's edge there's always the choice;
take everything for just what it is,
rein it in and head home

Or make another attempt to crack the dome
set off the magnesium in the saddlebags
become a comet across the firmament
hoping someone is there to see it

W. Joe Hoppe

After being knocked off his Harley for a second time (neither accident even remotely his fault) W. Joe has given up motorcycles (sadly, regretfully, tragically) and now bombs around in a '66 Barracuda. He's been honored to appear in the first Gumball issue here and here and again in the Spring 2001 issue. Still living in Austin, TX. Still teaching at Austin Community College. Still inspired by his son Max. Still has the best tattoos of anyone Gumball has ever published. Happy Good Success Fortune Thank You.

Posted over on Gumball Poetry