Shakespeare's Corner

Listen my children and you will hear,
of the Goldwing Riders who have no fear.
T’was a bright day in the year of ’97,
the weather that day was made in heaven.

The country lane wound round through the dales,
past fertile fields replete with hay bales.
Thirty five riders astride GLeaming steeds,
had no idea of future misdeeds.

To the Ouachitas far was their intent,
and this five day trip was heaven sent.
The East Texas roads beckoned with curves,
few cars, no trucks, and we steeled our nerves.

The trees rolled past at a moderate pace,
little did we know there would soon be a race.
For the road ahead offered such a surprise,
that few of us riders could believe our eyes.

For down in the ditch was an enormous bird,
the likes of which few men have heard.
It stood six feet tall from its head to its toes,
as out from the ditch toward the road it rose.

The riders were shocked,
such a scene they did see,
few beasts like this did ever roam free.

It was an emu, large bird of much meat,
that many think to eat is a treat.
This feathery fiend had our bikes in his sight,
as he thought to run, stand or pick a fight.

First a race, he thought with so much glee,
Outrunning a Goldwing is a sight to see.
His feet were a blur, as with us he raced
but the speedy bikes would not be outpaced.

For miles it went on ‘tween these bikes and bird,
for a race such as this was strictly unheard.
The bird raced ahead, its feet kicked up dust,
which only raised the bikers race lust.

Finally as the great bird got tired,
an idea in its small brain was inspired,
for it saw traffic in the opposite lane,
which again fired up that minuscule brain.

For in that traffic, there was a school bus,
full of children who were making a fuss.
Look at the big bird such did they cry,
O’ such a sight there did fill the eye.

For the bird he did stop, there dead in the street,
as he planted on pavement, those two monstrous feet.
For to board the bus with the kids he did think,
to school, some lunch, a class, and a drink.

For he wore himself out, this big feathered beast,
as this race covered roads from west to east.
East Texas will soon hear of this epic pace,
as bikes and bird, together did race.

The legend will live in the minds of us all
about that one day in a beautiful Fall.
When beast and machine met in contest
to see which was speedy, ultimately best.

In weeks ahead at Uncle Toms place
Our Carolyn will have a big smile on her face.
For soon even she will then have heard
of how so many GLs got the bird.

Shakespeare
(aka Frank Caramanica)

Poet Laureate

Chapter G

GWRRA