Ride the Storm

I had sensed it in the air, the deathly calm,
The stillness, harbinger of the perfect storm

Dark clouds appeared from nowhere, staring down menacingly,
As people on the streets looked up at the skies fearfully

I looked up at the storm, which willed to put me in harm’s way,
There was no way that I could still call it a day

Lightning flashed, a thunderclap, people now in a hurry,
Running for shelter, like rats on a sinking ship scurry

I flipped my hair, and zipped up my jacket,
Kissed my locket, and put on my helmet

I walked out into the dusk, and jabbed the key inside
My bike’s ignition, and mounted it astride

She looked at me from the doorway, as if saying, "I still care",
My eyes replied what I had to say, by a glacial stare

I turned the key and kicked, the engine coming alive and vrooming,
Like a stallion straining on a leash, restless and neighing

The tank, I knew, was full to the brim,
A storm brewed outside, but a bigger one was within

I pressed the clutch and shifted the gears,
Now zooming away from the parking lot, I was clear

The storm seemed surprised that I had dared to stray,
And added more lightning, more thunderclaps to the fray

I gunned the accelerator, the bike now zipped away faster,
Needles moving higher on the speedometer and tachometer

Faster and faster, my life hanging on two strips of rubber,
If I go far away, don’t cry for me mother

Without warning, came down lashing water,
Water blocking my vision, streaming down my helmet’s visor

I took it off, shower and gale now whipping my face,
But never ever could they slow down my pace

Hug the road baby, hold the tarmac tight,
For you and me have rode many a stormy night

People glanced at me, thinking about this mad biker,
Who rode in the lashing rain, was he thunder or a blunder?

The streets were now deserted, and I was the rider lone,
Cold, dripping, the rain now wetting me to the bone

The headlights pierced through the inky darkness, lighting my way,
Keeping the dogs, the demons, slaves of hell at bay

I sped away and away, and the world behind me fled,
The engine roaring now, the needles pushing beyond the red

At last, the storm gave up, and now seemed to say,
Why do you linger on, bring yourself into harm’s way?

I looked up and grinned, sensing the storm’s helpless anger,
To the storm and the black skies, I then raised my middle finger

For I take the bull by the horns, I take life head on,
I am the chaos, the turbulence, and I Ride the Storm