My Guest Column

The guest column that I penned is now online at Motorcycle Goodies in the Special Interest section. Check it out. I'm pleased as punch. The same column will appear later in the month in Connecticut Cruise News newspaper. I'll let you know.

Two New Poems

Just posted two new poems, "Sensual Bathing" and "The Yo-mama-ha Rider" on Songs of the Open Road, my Poetry blog/eZine. The former was written for fun and the latter cam out of yesterday's ride to Jackson.

New Poem-We Ride These Roads

Just posted my newest poem "We Ride These Roads" at Songs of the Open Road. This poem came out of a motorcycle road trip I took a few years back when I followed the Oregon/Mormon trail. It was a great ride.

Great News

I've just received word that my poem "The Need" will appear in the fall edition of Midnight Sun Rider, Alaska's motorcycle magazine. Yes, there are many motorcyclists in Alaska. Imagine riding Denali on your bike. The season is short in months but those summer days of mostly daylight could make for some great rides. And the unbelievable scenery. Many thanks to Wild Bill.

New Poem--Sexy Sally

Just posted my newest poem, "Sexy Sally" on my Poetry Blog/eZine, Songs of the Open Road
Check it out.

My Nomination Letter

Re: Nomination for Motorcycle/Biker Poet Laureate of the Western Frontier 2007

RoadHouse Press, Inc. (roadhousepress.com) would like to officially nominate Bill "Uglicoyote" Davis for Motorcycle/Biker Poet Laureate of the Western Frontier 2007. Davis's commitment to ePublishing and supporting Bikerpoetry through his blogs and webpages is second only to his own bikerpoetry and riding history.

Bikerpoetry is coming of age! The efforts of Bikerpoets such as Peddlar, Colorado T. Sky, Wild Bill (The Alaskan Poet), Mountain Man in Canada, Gypsypashn, Bear, JoeGo, Panhead Josh and countless others to keep bikerpoetry on the forefront of history as it comes of age are commendable. Publishers such as Jodi Lipson, Don Clady, Leo Castell are but a few of the known publishers that provide the ePage or the hard copy to bikerpoets, and I am sure there are many more out there nationally or internationally that are jumping on the bikerpoetry bus to spearhead the movement. A special mention for Bill Macmillan at Worcester's Best Poetry Venue: The Java Hut, because the stage and the mic lends the lime-light to Bikerpoetry and gives us the opportunity to showcase the genre in community. But, where would it all go without the bikerpoet who pours his/her heart and soul into carving their hard-ridden spirit onto the stage, the written page or ePage so we can all witness this genre exploding?

Through such bikerpoets as ChopprKate, Tom Quinn, Ironhorse Writer, we have seen the reason that bikerpoetry has sprung from the road to the page, because they represent hundreds of brothers/sisters who ride by bringing the thunder of their words to life. Bikerpoetry is rolling down history road so fast that it's becoming hard to keep up with the names of all who join the Bikerpoetry movement for the ride through The Biker Poetry Hall of Fame. The best way to do this is hop on one of the websites that host venues for Bikerpoetry and follow our band of BikerBards around the country as they post other bikerpoets works or put on live shows and venues throughout Biker Nation and the community at large. Check out motorcyclegoodies.com under press releases (information) and in the northeast you can find listings on supersundayonline forums, laconiabikeweek.net, roadpoet.com, roadpoet-ny.com, gypsypashn.com, VTwinbiker.com, The Motorcyclists Post, and in CT Cruise News Newspaper (Publisher, Editor Don Clady).

RoadHouse Press, Inc. apologizes if we have left anyone out of this press release for so many, many generous community venues and bikerpoets have contributed to the coming of age of Bikerpoetry in 2007, too many to list, but they are not forgotten. Without the hard work of so many the Bikerpoetry movement would be still crawling, but thanks to so many, we are off to a great run!

The Bikerpoet Laureate is a key figure in the bringing this genre to light in the literary world. Through poetry venues, websites, publishings and public relations the Bikerpoet Laureate fosters respect between the academic community, the literary community and the biker nation as this genre steps to light and takes a bow.

Two of my favorite memories in the toddler stages of Bikerpoetry, as the editor/founder of RoadHouse Press, Inc. are sitting at Charlies' Tap in Cambridge, Massachusetts when the roar of Peddlar's bikerpoetry brought the house into thunderous applause one week and then the next week walking into a poetry workshop in Cape Cod to find Colorado T.Sky. Between the two, Sky and Peddlar, sat the poetry community. It was like bringing a couple of choppers with iron clad bikers attached into a sewing circle. The electricity zapped when Peddlar tossed verses back and forth with Sky. And this was just the early days --- today this happens week to week to week.. whenever a Biker Brother or Sister brings their work to the table, stage or the Page.

Best of luck to Uglicoyote with this nomination. I am sure he will serve the poetry community with dedication if he is appointed. Take a look at his eZine and you will see why RoadHouse Press, Inc has made this nomination: http://songsopenroad.blogspot.com/

MarySusan Williams-Migneault
Founder/Editor RoadHouse Press, Inc.
roadhousepress.com
rdhousepress@aol.com

August is Biker Poetry Month

Roadpoet EMagazine,

Press Release ...
by Gray Hunter ...
Roadpoet Staff ...

August 2007:

Put your rubber to the road and your pen to the paper and tell the world you are a biker and a poet. This August is the third annual Bikerpoetry Month and all riders and writers are urged to take part in as many Bikerpoetry events as possible.
Yes, April is National Poetry Month, but in the Spring of 2005, the staff of RoadPoet eMagazine decided that Bikerpoets and Writers needed their own Poetry Month. Let's face it, April is cold and Bikers get their inspiration to write through their riding. Throughout the country, August is a good month for riding, so August was chosen for this honor.

So the question is, who can be part of Biker Poetry Month? Anyone who does the following:

- Publishes Biker Poetry
- Broadcasts Biker Poetry
- Gives a Biker Poetry lecture
- Hosts a Biker Poetry Workshop or a show
- How about a Bikerpoetry Month Cookout?

For more information or to add an event to the Bikerpoetry Month Events list, please contact RoadPoet eMagazine i/e roadpoet.com at roadpoetmagazine@webtv.net

Below is a partial list of Bikerpoetry Month events:

First Thursday, August 2nd, (Arrive: Between 6:30 - 6:45/Sign Up:
Between 6:30 - 7:00)Andy's Place, Lowell, MA Welcomes BikerPoets
to Lowell's First Poetry Open Mic and Slam.

Saturday, August 11, 2pm ... All invited ... Hopefully it's a ride!
Open Mic Village Book Store Bellows Vermont

Monday, August 13, 7pm ... Conway Library, Conway NH, A RoadHouse
Press Reading, All invited. Open Mic following feature.

Thursday, August 16, starts around 6 or 6:30pm, Gypsypashn's
Travelling Poetry Caravan Reading .. Downtown Medford and/or
3rd Annual Bikerpoetry Cookout to follow Reading at her home.

Monday, August 20, 8pm. Stone Soup Cambridge, Featuring
Colorado T. Sky and the Highway Poets

Tuesday, August 21,7:30PM at North Star Portland Maine,
Featuring J Barrett Wolf AKA Bear and the Roadpoet eMagazine
Staff and Friends

Saturday, August 25, 3rd Annual Second Hand Reeds Bookstore in
Saco Maine ... Colorado T. Sky

Sunday, August 26 Java Hut,Worcester, MA - Colorado T Sky
and the Highway Poets

Also during the month of August, several BikerPoets will be nominated as Bikerpoet Laureates. The present Bikerpoet and Motorcycle Poet Laureates are:

K. Peddlar Bridges aka The Peddlar,
Super Sunday (R) Expo, Poet Laureate.

Betsy Lister aka Gypsypashn,
Roadpoet eMagazine's, Massachusetts' Motorcycle Poet Laureate.
and Roadpoet eMagazine's New Hampshire Motorcycle poet Laureate.

Bill Rogers aka Wild Bill, The Alaskan Poet,
Roadpoet eMagazine's, Poet Laureate of the Northern Frontier.

And The Biker Poets and Writers' Association's,
National Bikerpoet Laureate, Colorado T.Sky.

Below is the criteria for 2007 Bikerpoet Laureateship:

The Motorcycle/Biker Poet Laureate will display an outstanding commitment to the Motorcycling and Poetry communities, as well as a serious commitment to riding and Poetry itself. The obligations and duties of the Motorcycle/Biker Poet Laureate are as follows, but are not limited to:

To be published in ink and light on a regular basis

To promote Roadpoet eMagazine and support Roadpoet eMagazine
poetry events.

To show a serious commitment to Motorcycling, Poetry and the Event
i/e the regional area the Motorcycle/Biker Poet Laureate represents.

To promote Motorcycling and Poetry on a regular basis.

To attend and perform at BikerPoetry readings and Motorcycling events
as to represent The Motorcycle/Biker Poet Laureateship at these events
on a regular basis.

To find a hard copy forum to represent the Motorcycle/Biker Poet
Laureateship, Motorcycling and the Motorcycle Poetry Community, always
striving to publish and promote other Biker Poets whenever possible.

If for any reason the set Motorcycle/Biker Poet Laureate can not fulfill these requirements as Motorcycle Poet Laureate by choice or circumstances, the Editor/Publisher of Roadpoet eMagazine i/e K. Peddlar Bridges will stand in place for The Motorcycle Poet Laureate for the remaining time or choose another Motorcycle Poet to do so.

The Poet Laureateship has a long standing in Literary and World History, dating from Virgil, Homer, Chaucer, through 18th century Britain, up until today, with such names as Billy Collins, Ted Kooser, and Suffolk County New York's Poet laureate, George Wallace. The mission of the Poet Laureate is to express -- The News, the Emotions, and the Excitement -- of the events for the group they represent. They are to be a collective voice, be it mirth or sorrow.

If you know someone you believe who fits this list? Please let us know.
So when the dust settles on the pavement and the parchment this September First, let's all look back on this year's Bikerpoetry Month, as a huge success!
*****
Two notes:
First,please notice that most of the events listed take place in the East. Are there any events like it in the West?

Second. I'm pleased and proud to tell you that I am one of the Bikerpoet Laureate nominees.

Keep on keepin' on

VTwinBiker.com

Q-Ball over at VTwinBiker.com has published two poems of mine. There is getting to be quite a collection of Biker/Motorcycle poetry over there so check it out.

Keep on keepin' on

Two Poems from Wild Bill, The Alaskan Biker Poet

Over at Songs of the Open Road I just posted two poems from Wild Bill, the Alaskan Biker poet. You can check more of his work here. Wild Bill Rogers is also the Editor/Publisher of Midnight Sun Rider, Alaska's Motorcycle Magazine.

Three New Baiku

Just posted three new Baiku (Biker Haiku) at Songs of the Open Road

Poetry-Chopper Kate Johnson

Just posted a poem by Chopper Kate on my poetry blog/eZine, Songs of the Open Road
I like Kate's style and I hope you like it to.

Keep on keepin' on!

TWO New Poems- A Tale of Bad Habits & When Bikers Come to Town

Just posted two new poem s," A Tale of Bad habits" and "When Bikers Come to Town" at my poetry blog/ezine, Songs of the Open Road.

Last night I posted there two poems submitted by my brother Biker Poet, Bikerwolf
Check 'em out.

Keep on keepin' on

Waxing Prolific and the week ahead

I've waxed prolific in the last few days. I've finished and posted four new poems and I have a couple of other poems started. This doesn't count the three baiku I posted on Friday. The muse moves in mysterious ways and I've experienced creative bursts like this before. I've been inspired by the weather, the riding I've been doing and more. The ideas just seem to "show up" and there I am, writing poetry when I should be washing the bike. I get home from a ride, I'm tired and I should be going to bed but there I sit putting my words down before they slip away. You can check my latest scribbles at Songs of the Open Road. If you like what you read, share it with your friends. If you're offended by anything I write, tell everyone you know. If you scribble poems yourself, consider sending your work along and I'll consider placing them on my page.

Several things happening with my HOG chapter this week, and then on Friday we're hooking up with two other chapters to spend the weekend riding in the mountains of central Idaho. We'll be staying at Challis Hot Springs and I hope to have lots of pictures and a complete report upon my return.

Keep on keepin' on

Three New Poems

I just posted my three new poems, Pastor Bob and the C.M.A , 99 Miles from Shoshoni to Casper, and Another Biker Has Gone Down at Songs of the Open Road, my Biker Poetry blog/e-zine. Check it out.

Keep on Keepin' on

Uglicoyote's Newest Poem

Remembered Roads

It was a hot and windy day
and I was feeling quite beat down
when I stopped along the way
in that little nothing town

I pulled up by the pumps
and filled her up with gas.
Three old-timers on their rumps
in front, just nodded when I passed.

I went inside to get cooled down
Then got myself Coke
I went back out, looked around,
and lit myself a smoke.

At my bike those three had gathered round,
you could see stories were being told.
They examined her from top to ground
then glanced longingly down the road.

One turned to me, stuck out his hand
I shook it and he said,
"We, all three ,fought for this here land
as did many friends, now dead."

"We all came back from World War Two,
The three of us ", he said.
"We weren't quite sure what we would do,
when in entered in our heads."

"We'll all get motorcycles, we thought,
and to this we all agreed.
War surplus bikes were readily bought,
They became our Iron Steeds"

"Jim and Tom had old Harley 45's;
I bobbed an old surplus Indian.
Riding those bike made us feel alive,
like we were back home once again."

"We rode those bikes from coast to coast,
and then back around again.
We did all the things we had missed the most
when we were off in that foreign land."

Then they went on to tell their tales,
of young women wooed and tossed.
Of a bar fight and a night in jail,
of memories they'd thought lost.

You could see the twinkle in their eyes
as they remembered those long lost roads.
As they told of mountains, bright blue skies.
and riding in rain and cold.

When, departure time came for me,
each took my hand in turn.
The last said. "My son, ride free,
for there's one thing I've learned."

"If you love the freedom of road,
riding toward that endless sky.
Remember always the debt that's owed
to all of those who've died."

"You have the freedom of the ride,
oh wondrous things you'll see,
but the ghosts will be there at your side,
who purchased your Liberty."

As I rode away, those three old vets
just disappeared from view.
Impossible, I thought, and yet...
The words they spoke rang true.

So now, three ghost's ride at my side,
together toward the setting sun.
In freedom and the wind we ride
On remembered roads we run.

2007 Bill "uglicoyote" Davis

Some Thoughts on Biker Poetry

I've been thinking a bit about the genre of Biker Poetry, if in fact it is a separate genre. If the definition of genre has to do with certain characteristics that make it so, then I believe it is a true genre. Is some of it mere doggerel? Well, certainly, but no more so than in any other genre, and just because a poem is classed "doggerel", doesn't mean it is less entertaining. Biker poetry comes at us in a wide variety of ways and means. I've read (and sometimes written) rhymed and free verse, formal, haiku, humorous, sad, serious, and ridiculous poetry. It's all, as far as I'm concerned, Biker poetry, and as such, worthy of inclusion in the genre.
In many ways, Biker Poetry possesses characteristics similar to another populargenre, Cowboy Poetry. Both seek to portray, promote, and popularize the mythology, culture, and lifestyles(real or imagined)of their nominative subjects, Bikers and Cowboys. Both are largely written by poets who are also either cowboys and bikers or who have a close connection to and understanding of those lifestyles. There seems to be some flexibility here. Can a ranch wife or a Texas feed store operator write "Cowboy" poetry? Most probably. Can a biker's "old lady" or the owner of a motorcycle shop whose busy schedule allows little riding time write "biker" poems? Certainly, if their muse so moves them.

Much Cowboy Poetry, although often published in books and other printed medium, is mean't to be recited or performed aloud. I've not seen much of this with biker poetry, a pity really, because much of what I've read would really possess more power as spoken word. The subject matter of Biker poems would lend itself well to being recited by the poet to his main audience, an audience of bikers. Much biker poetry could work well in the Hip-Hop/Slam/Spoken Word/Performance genre which is currently popular around the country.

Every year, Cowboy poets and their fans gather in conclaves like Elko's National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and in similar events throughout the western U.S. They gather to share their poetry and their love of the legends and lifestyle that surrounds it. There are not similar gatherings for Biker Poets. There are however, gatherings for bikers. Sturgis, Daytona, Las Vegas, Americade, Reno, Hollister, Laughlin, Laconia, and countless other rallies and get-togethers where bikers, motorcyclists, their fans and associates gather to share their common interests. They could be sharing their poetry as well.
How about a National Biker Poets gathering at one of these events or elsewhere? After all, our myths and legends are quite similar to those of the cowboys. We just ride a different kind of horse.

If you're not familiar with biker poetry here where you can find some. First, let tell send to Wild Bill's Culture Corner a collection of the poetry of Bill Rogers , publisher of the Alaska motorcycle magazine Midnight Sun Rider.In addition to his own poetry Bill also accepts work from other poets and offers it up on his Guest Authors page, including two poems by yours truly. (I'm planning on accepting submissions here too. I'll keep you posted.)

Check out Biker Poet's Page and Biker Poet's Road Poet eMagazine. Peddlar writes and publishes some righteous work.

Biker Poetry by Sorez the Scribe has become a regular visit for me as has Biker Poetry and Words, a part of the larger biker community site, V-Twin Biker. Biker P&W advertises itself as "The Largest Collection of Biker Poetry by individual Bikers on the Internet." Could be.
Here's a collection of Motorcycle Haiku or as I like to call them, "Baiku." (That may be a bit too pretentious, but what the hell.) I like these and have tried my hand at them myself.
I've visited the page of Biker Poets and Writers Association
where I read their "Mission Statement" and I've tried to e-mail the publisher but his e-mail is dead. Peddlar is listed as the submissions editor, but I've yet to hear back from him.

There's more Biker poetry out there. A quick search on Google will reveal this. If you're so inclined, try your hand at writing some of your own. If you just want to read or listen, we poets would be nothng without an audience.

Villanelle for a Road King

Villanelle for a Road King

We all have many reasons we love to hear that thunder roll
The old lady bitches, the boss pays less, the kids demand their say
Remember, four wheels may move the body, but two wheels move the soul

The daily grind of making a living forces all to pay its toll
Blood pressure rises, pleasures seem few; of course there are bills to pay
So we all have many reasons we love to hear the thunder roll

Release is just a ride away, and sweet sanity our goal
We swing our leg across the seat, the engine fires, we ride away
Yes, four wheels may move the body, but two wheels move the soul.

We turn to that favorite back road, the one all curves and knolls
Into the first turn, accelerate,the next curve comes fast, but we know the way
These are among the many reasons why we love it when the thunder rolls

The fresh wind washes away our pain, as down the straight we roll
The pulse of power, the sounds of the road, all cares and worries wiped away
Truly, four wheels may move the body, but two wheels move the soul.

We thunder on into the night, your cares have gone; you’ve met your goal.
Tomorrow will bring another load, more cares, concerns; another day
We all have many reasons why we love to hear that thunder roll.
We know that four wheels may move our body but two wheels will move our soul.

2007 Bill "uglicoyote" Davis

What the hell is a villanelle?

Other poems by uglicoyote

Leather, Chrome, and Steel
And the Thunder Rolls

The Road
Ride To Nirvana
Three Baiku

Leather, Chrome, and Steel

Leather, Chrome, and Steel

In Blackfoot, Idaho one night
He walked, lonely, out of a bar
A woman sat there on the curb
Strumming her big guitar

Is that your bike? she asked him,
I love leather, chrome and steel.”

Hop on, he said as he settled in.
I know just how you feel.

She swung that guitar across her back
And hopped onto his sled.
Where ya going? he asked as she got on board
Outta here, was all she said.

She wrapped her arms around him
They headed south to the Utah line.
He rode hard into the desert night
The big twin singing fine.

The finally pulled down off the road
He took out his old bedroll
And there beneath the desert stars
She did things that moved his soul.

The next morning when she shot him
As he lay bleeding in the sand
She looked into his fading eyes
She reached out and held his hand

I don’t like men, she told him
But I like leather, chrome and steel
My first old man was a biker
A no good, cheatin’ heel.

So I’ll take your bike, if you don’t mind.
But I’ll write for you a song.
About your love of ridin' in the wind
And all the women who done you wrong.

He closed his eyes and she rode off,
Left his body behind that hill.
She rode on south towards Mexico
I’ll bet she’s out there still

So. if some night you leave a bar
And lonely is how you feel,
Beware a woman with big guitar
Who loves leather, chrome, and steel

2007 Bill “uglicoyote” Davis

Other poems by uglicoyote

And the Thunder Rolls

The Road
Ride To Nirvana
Three Baiku

The Road

The Road

The road goes on forever
and the party never ends. Robert Earl Keen

Miles and miles of
Miles and miles

Big sweeping curves,
Tight hairpins and mountain switchbacks
Long straight-aways

Miles of corn, wheat, soybeans and sunflowers
Miles of pine, spruce, redwoods and cedars
Miles of prairie grass, sagebrush, mesquite

Narrow canyons open to wide vistas
Spectacular sunsets
Soft, ghostly coastal fog
Rolling into the rising sun

Idaho wind,
Nebraska heat,
Iowa rain,
Cold at 10,000 feet-- July in Wyoming's Snowy Range

Oceans, lakes,
Ponds, streams, and those rivers-
Those rivers.
Crossing the Snake, Madison, Salmon
The Platte, the Missouri
The Big Muddy

The rivers of concrete, asphalt, gravel

U.S. 101, 20, 30, 66, 26, The Lincoln Highway,
America's Roads,
State roads, County roads
Roads which appear only
On the map of the mind.
Blue Highways,
Highway blues

Riding the soul of America,
Riding my soul
Riding those miles and miles of
Miles and miles.

uglicoyote 2007