By: Shawn Marie Johnson

The nightmare that plagues me has awakened me again.

The object of my nightmare calls to me and draws me out into the night.

As I enter the darkened garage, my black and silver demon is poised majestically

in the moonlight that filters through the small windows of the garage.

It stands proudly above the car parts and other garage clutter,

like a beast waiting to be released.

As I face the big black motorcycle, my feelings are warring.

Its massive 700 lb. Chrome-covered body is tilted slightly to the left

as it rests on its kickstand.

Its call is even stronger now and I place my hands up and over

the new chrome-backed mirrors and feel the fear that it could happen again.

That in a split second my life could be totally shattered

by the barely controlled raw power that the big bike holds.

My hands find the scars left on its delicate fairing,

and hate for the machine pours through my soul.

To conquer the fear I straddle its low-slung leather seat

and tightly grip the handlebars.

My fingers touch the leather grips and plunge into their fringe

as my emotions quickly take a new turn.

My enemy is also my lover; it brings paralyzing fear

and the undeniable gift of unmatched freedom.

Memories flood my mind as I sit astride the chrome-littered beast.

The moonlight catches the right foot peg that

only a week ago was twisted and bent.

It lights up the flags that lay limply at the bike's rear;

one for those lost but remembered and one for my freedom.

My fingers find the little golden wings in the moonlight,

And as I stroke them with affection,

I realize my black and silver demon of night

has already stolen my soul.

I can't be without its power or chrome,

That its leather seat is the only place I truly feel at home.

I sit astride the bike in the moonlight,

And hear a metallic whisper,

"Fear is to be conquered"

Nightly my black and silver demon calls me,

as it is poised majestically in the moonlight,

like the beast that it is, waiting proudly among the clutter,

for me to conquer my fear.