When i was seventeen my boyfriend had
A Harley Davidson. That summer i loved
To ride with him across the Golden Gate.
As we rumbled along the highway, six lanes
Became two, while the ends of my hair flew
And prickled my shoulders. i'd squeeze him as we leaned
Into the curves. My shirt would snap and buzz
Behind us like a flag, and the wind tore at
My back and my arms and bare ankles. The sun
Would burn through my jeans to the tops of my thighs.
We'd stop inside an ancient whitewashed diner
(Complete with screen door and a ceiling fan)
To eat our cheeseburgers, drink our cherry cokes,
And giggle and kiss on red vinyl and chrome.
Then lazing away on the bench outside the door,
We'd smoke our cigarettes, with RayBans on,
Swishing flies in the shade, and looking up.
The eucalyptus leaves shimmered over our heads.
We watched the purple shadows stretch away
From us across the silvery pavement
As the silent, sleepy afternoon went by.
Thus fortified, we'd swing our denim legs
Over our seat again and back onto
The roaring bike we headed to the City.
i kept my fingers curled under his belt,
My cheek was pressed against his sweating back,
And on my lips i wore
A smile, a smile, a smile.
