Poets Without Borders
 

Last time I was on the road I found myself writing some poetry. This was on Dec 2012-Jan 2013, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Valparaíso, Chile, and back, on my Honda Falcon NX 400. It has been more than 30 years since the time I used to write poetry. It felt so good to write again that I want to share here my new first poem, and also would like to invite you to post any poetic or creative writing that you do in connection with your riding.

I am originally from Spain, and it is more natural for me to write in Spanish. This poem came to life in the beautiful National Park Sierra de las Quijadas, in the province of San Luis, Argentina.

Parque Nacional Sierrra de las Quijadas

El viento ruge entre tus grietas
y el sol es fuego sobre mi espalda.

Un bufido a mi izquierda
me hace dar un respingo.

— ¿Qué fue eso?

Camuflado entre los arbustos
un burro me observa inquisitivo.

Dos burros... tres... cuatro... cinco...
seis... siete... ocho burros
me miran al unísono:

— Y a Ud., ¿qué se le perdió aquí?

Yo no respondo todavía. También los miro.

Orejas levantadas, hocico blanco,
esperan mi respuesta.

Burros salvajes cuyos lomos relucientes
nada saben de cargas ni trabajos.
Son ocho burros haciendo senderismo
por el Parque Nacional Sierra de las Quijadas.

— Bueno, señores burros,
yo también soy una criatura de Dios.

Sadly I'll have to leave an appreciation of your efforts to those more fluent in Spanish than I am but the ability to do it rates right up there with me. I recently spent a few months writing 55 thousand words on something that's been a major influence in my life only to subsequently find a poem that says the same thing in six lines - and says it better.

Motorcycle travel poetry - now there's an untapped market!

Nice poem.

As it happens I too am a donkey, or feel like one half the time when I'm out riding :)

Thank you, rosa del desierto, would you be so kind to translate, as I'm sure google does it no justice.

and if I might be so bold and you allow me a contribution,

I am also in the jaws of this sierra
Travel with good company
And
May your load be light

Backofbeyond, would you like to share with us that "six line poem"?

Thank you Socks for your poem. The translation of mine goes more or less like this:


The wind growls between your crevasse
and the sun is like fire on my back.

A snort from my left
makes me jump.

What was that?

Camouflaged in among the bushes
a donkey observes me inquisitively.

Two donkeys… three…four… five…
Six…seven…eight… donkeys stare at me
in unison:

— And you? What are you doing here?

I do not answer yet. I stare at them too.

Ears up, eight white noses
await my answer.

Wild donkeys whose shinny backs
know nothing of heavy loads or hard work.
They are eight donkeys trekking
In the Sierra de las Quijadas National Park.

— Well, dear Donkeys
I am also a creature of God.

Set Your Spirit Free
 

Know all ye who travel here:

That is a 1968 CD 175 Honda and my Costa Rican novia
In 1968 I rode that bike from San Jose Costa Rica to Los Angeles....
any questions?


Set Your Spirit Free

I am not my thoughts
For my thoughts are caught
In words and memories
That brought me to my knees.

I am not what I do
For that has been caught too
In love and fear and money
Funny.

My life began
With a belief
I am a spirit
Bound to be free.

Einstein was right
Our bondage is tight
It is lies we see
Through our eyes.

The truth is in sight
But the light so bright
I close my eyes
To see you, to see me.

I stopped thinking
And the truth
Set me free.

A spirit set free
I can be me
I can just be
Set your spirit free.

Copyright 1979 "xfiltrate" All rights reserved

An award winning poem
Photo: Puerto Limon, CR by xfiltrate (cerca 1968)

^^Where can I get some of those boots? ;)

Soul verses Sole....
 

SOUL VERSES SOLE......Brilliant, Senno

Your "boots" comment is precisely the reason I continue to read and post on the Hubb Pub.

The profundity of your "boots" comment has been realized, fathomed, and appreciated. Thank you so very much for contributing to my faith in humanity.

Perhaps you could contribute a poem?

eat, drink a lot, and be careful

Ha thanks for the reply xfiltrate. Not sure if the world is ready for my introspective, maudlin poetic musings :stormy::blushing:

It's a great photo anyway, did you take it?

We are ready
 

Oh Senno, do share.....

Yeah, I took the photo and I also took 8 burros (next post) about the same time rosa del desierto was writing her poem (also posted on this tread)
Parque Nacional Sierrra de las Quijadas

I also took this one of my Grandma astride (side saddle) my BSA Bantam Major -(cerca 1962) the bike is a lot older..... my second motorcycle the Honda purchased in Costa Rica and featured with my poem this tread was my third motorcycle.... : enjoy although I come from a long line of "bikers" not all of them can ride side saddle....
only Grandma

Parque Nacional Sierrra de las Quijadas
 

8 burros

Nice poetry here! Goes well with the beer

Well, I'm tempted to have a go. I think this is a 'safe' pub!

Anyone ever played around with Haiku?
I have, and found it can lead to interesting results (for me) when applied to a journey.
So here goes -

Four verses covering a single journey.
(This may be against the 'rules'. I think the idea is to compose a single Haiku to describe the whole thing that you're trying to convey. But I may be wrong).

Two wheels on the Dover road.
No map nor G P S.
Lost in summer.

Cross many borders Southwards.
People - ever different. Nice!
"Welcome!"

Bend ahead comes quickly.
Beyond is hidden
Lush green valley - sunshine.

Tyres roll on stones now.
Halt at oceans' edge.
Wind. Sea. Horizon. End.


So, going to the other extreme, I'll try one to convey two journeys. An earlier journey followed by the one above:

North cape, midnight sun.
Two Continents. Five seasons.
Southern Cape. Two oceans.


I like the photos too. :thumbup1:

^^Nice! Though they're not strictly haikus in the traditional sense, but nicely evocative nonetheless :mchappy:

Playing around ...
 

Playing around is good.

Top Honors McCrankpin bier

Your reality might be whizzing 5 feet above and directly behind Senno, but it is real. Being 3 feet behind your head is also real.

eat, drink a lot more and be careful

Mar de Ansenuza
 

Thanks Xfiltrate and McCrankpin for your beautiful poems!

I have another poem with a picture from my last trip:



Mar de Ansenuza, Córdoba

21 de diciembre del año 2012,
fin del mundo,
según el calendario maya.

Hoy es el 27.

El sol se pone sobre la inmensa laguna
de la Mar Chiquita, y la luna,
perfectamente redonda,
asoma por el horizonte opuesto.

La chicharras insisten
con su canto ensordecedor,
y yo me devano pensando
en la profecía de los mayas.

Mientras todo parece seguir el mismo curso,
quiero creer en el comienzo de una nueva era,
la del despertar del corazón
a la solidaridad
y a una nueva consciencia.

Oscurece, pero dentro de mí
se ha encendido una pequeña llama.

Last days of winter in Buenos Aires
 

It is beautiful and warm here in Buenos Aires, on August 31. We are close to the end of winter. I wrote:

¡Cómo me gustaría vestirme
de primavera!
Por dentro y por fuera.
Estrenar una camisa...
...y una sonrisa.

A rough translation would be:

I wish I could dress myself
as if I were spring!
Outside and inside.
Putting on a new shirt...
...and a new smile.

Hey Diddle Diddle
 

Empire

Hey Diddle, Diddle
President FDR played the fiddle,

and Japanese jumped over the Pacific,
to Pearl Harbor to be more specific

the military industrial complex laughs
and created 2 atomic bomb blasts

like the silver from Peru and Mexico
made the Spanish Empire rico (rich)

and the opium from the far east
the British Empire without cease

and those bomb blasts
leave me aghast

You?

copyright xfiltrate Sept 10, 2013

You may have to read to fully understand this rhyme... Day Of Deceit: The Truth About FDR and Pearl Harbor Paperback
by Robert Stinnett (Author)

Home, a sense of place
At home on the open road
Anywhere, at home

GS3&TTtwo

Predawn ribbons bind
Virgins misty innocence
This day comes of age

GS3&TTtwo

Thank you Digiamo
 

Great poems.... I feel your poems write more poems....

Idea: I checked the "similar threads" listed beneath
this thread and found no poems..... ????

Therefore, I propose we create a book an e-book or an e-calendar consisting of poetry from the road written by over landers... riding the world on motorcycles or 4X4s...

I invite all to contribute poems to this thread.... rosa del desierto is in communication with many international publishers ... she has offered to do translations English/Spanish and Spanish/English, marketing, sales etc....

Proceeds will be distributed among contributors.

Finance you next RTW with your poetry..... submit it here...

xfiltrate

eat, drink and write poetry... you can do it!

Ideal idea
Let our wheels churn out word pics
Books bind the boundless

GS3&TTtwo

work in progress
 

our book, this thread be
a work in progress, you see
odes to type and throttle glee :biggrin3:

Finance you next RTW with your poetry..... submit it here...
 

Xfiltrate, what a great idea!!! Let's do it, and also give a contribution to HU from our proceeds...

Response to Digiamo:

Let our wheels
the poetry spin
the world around.

Grant my share to alms
A quid would do for framing
Let's not neglect Grant

Forgive the haiku
Seems it's my best poets voice
Keeps my prattle down

GS3&TT2

all at once now...
 

We are as one, great
poetry in motion, wait!
I hear in us...song

Dad never rode bikes
"Put a seat belt on that thing"
Gotta love those dads..

GS3&TT2

Horizons, hear our plea
DARK clouds the view right now
Love blows them free.

GS3&TT2

Airborn quite often
Leeps and bounds as if half deer
Deep woods trail rider

I could not help myself and had to open this thread, firstly because of the title and secondly I love poetry, I just could not think bikers write that much. Great work in my opinion, even if I don't understand all of it I like the sound of Spanish a lot.

All this is sweet song

Machines thump windy rhythm

The sounds of the quest


GS3&TT2

Für Elisa...
 

Elisabeth, welcome to the HUBB and to this thread!!

Very pleased to see this thread as well. Poetry will come when I come out of my closet, but so is a project I am working on which can target all of us. It is a translation project of a piece by Kim Stafford. More on that soon.

If you are a poet open to translating poetry from English in your language please reach out to me either here or offline.

Alain


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Croissant Warrior, I am very interested in knowing more about your translation project.

"Gloriosa Victoria"
 

http://www.umbc.edu/che/tahlessons/p...udent:RS12.pdf

Here we find "Gloriosa Victoria" a painting by world famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera - with an interpretation, for those not familiar with the artist his paintings or his murals which are on display throughout Mexico , the United States and in major museums worldwide. There is a movement to hang "Gloriosa Vitoria" at Dulles International Airport Washington DC, if and when the famous bust of one of the Dulles brothers is relocated from a back room and once again into a public area of the airport.

"The Brothers" is a recently published book about John Foster Dulles and Allen Dulles and is well worth the read for over landers who roam the world.

The Brothers: John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles, and Their Secret World War: Stephen Kinzer: 9780805094978: Amazon.com: Books

Xfiltrate

Hello,

The Proclamation for Peace was written in English and free to anyone who wishes to print it and distribute it in its current form.

I had coffee with the author and we agreed about its translation as long as the spirit remains the same: no profit made, no fame, just a genuine desire to express peace through poetry and spread the word.

I have a German version, French and Arabic. Open to any other translation, but I ask that the translators and I discuss the general concepts to ensure the piece remains in integrity with its message, yet can hold the poetic sense that a different culture might offer.

If one is truly interested PM me and we will send the piece your way.

Alain

Go Ride!
 

"How do I stop it"?
"Why would you want to stop it"?
↓
↓
↓
Motorcycle school

GPS broke
 

Nav toys just for fun
Fine we'd be without a one
We'll ask the locals

Exotic snakes to avoid
 

Tar snakes?... take good care
Where we're going bump it up
Green snakes drop... Wick it!

Eucalypt scents in rain
Scarred limbs stand dark from the disaster zone
And the lull of red earth road ahead

Strongest storm hits Philippines
 

Wind drawn oceans urge
Thousand island lives destroyed
Haiyan wreaks havoc

Sunset #4

puffy pastels in emerald skies
to the east
calm like whales, they know where to go

South and west
giant cumulus of steel prance over like Godzilla over the valley
In promises of stormy night
the cicadas are shy to leave their cells
the frogs silent in anticipation
"Will we dance tonight?"

Songs of fire and water
to quench the dry earth, below
Big skies speak stories
to rock this child to sleep

One curiosity: who on this thread is actually travelling (moto or not) and who is inspired from the kitchen chair of their loft? If you are travelling, what country are you in?

I am in the land of Oz, and yes travelling.




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[QUOTE=croissant_warrior;443664]One curiosity: who on this thread is actually travelling (moto or not) and who is inspired from the kitchen chair of their loft? If you are travelling, what country are you in?


Good question. I've toyed with the idea of a poetry thread "RoadRhyme", strictly inspired and coined from the adventure.
I've written many while out there but not all. Some that I've posted here are from the road. Generally, I think those of mine that are created while traveling are more interesting.
Maybe we can mark them as "Written from the Road" and where.

I like what you are saying Digiamo. In Australia I learn the black fellows seem to connect "song" and "Country." Seems natural that a land would have its own inspiration and stories, and through the land the poet exists - even in cosmopalitalia.

I might just start to tag my stuff this way.


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Rising in Belongil

Rose early to pray to the sun gods
Feet kissed muted sand and the remnants of night

To the east
Gold lining in clouds calls for new life and new beginnings
Rising arms hold its children
Beacon where we came from, not so long ago

To the west
Moonset over giants
Purple ghost fade distant against salmon skies
Chasing Venus below, to the underworld

A breath of life for you, a breath of life for me
Miracles make for daily simplicity
Not a sunrise the same
Nor a wave
Nor a breath

In Gondwana
A cluster of stars
Stuck to the roof of my mouth


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

from your chair or from the road?
 

[QUOTE=croissant_warrior;443664]One curiosity: who on this thread is actually travelling (moto or not) and who is inspired from the kitchen chair of their loft? If you are travelling, what country are you in?

The first 2 poems I posted on this thread were written while traveling by motorcycle, on my way back from Valparaiso, Chile, to Buenos Aires.

I am now sitting on a comfortable chair in my BA apartment, but planning to be on the road again in a couple of months...:mchappy:

A cold rainy ride
A misty headlight appears
A gloved hand raised, "Hi!



GS3&TT2

Thanks for feeding the thread digiamo :)

Social group riding
A mind strays horizon bound
Alone with the wind

GS3&TT2

Mountains of off roads
A cultural panoply
Sub-continent bound

The world's a playground
A SeeSaw MerryGoRound
We will ride them all

GS3&TT2

A roadside warning
"Down this road there be dragons!"
Let's have some real fun

GS3&TT2

Duplicate post deleted

Au ciel

Quels sont ces grand squelettes
la peau grise et les bras au ciel
le corps tordu dans le vent sec
que les mémoires de nos ancêtres ou ceux qui donnent leur âme à la guerre?

Figés, on aurait cru leurs derniers mots
car sous la souche le feu avait bruler toute vie
presque,
car aujourd'hui les jeunes gommiers adolescents
dansent sous le vent des alpes
au pieds des tombeaux
au gré des vents

on pense dans l'espace inconnu
la mort certaine de ce que l'on sait
pourtant
le vie revient toujours
dans cet amour infini.

Glen Heggstad's "One More Day Everywhere"
 

Rosa del desierto and I are near San Augustin, Colombia, she, recovering from fractures resulting from a slide in mud while riding the "trampolin de la muerte" one of those roads that are passable unless it rains - alot and it did. And I, doing all I can to help the woman I love to heal, and reading.

Complicating the adventure is the "paro" cutting all roads in and out of the Colombian state of Huila this consists of week old roadblocks and protests by coffee growers that prevent me from riding our Hondas. The entry permits are running out and it is impossible to get past the roadblocks to the local DIAN office for extensions ... so we wait, we heal, and we listen to the unabridged audio edition of striking Viking's
"One more Day Everywhere."

My humble opinion, using some of Heggstad's owned coined terms, is that the "travel gods" have enabled one man - one very strong and courageous man to speak for the "long riders," and, he does so brilliantly.

My emotions rode along with Heggstad from Japan, appropriate as he was a national martial arts champion, through the world's most dangerous and exotic places, through his loves and his losses, his friends, his intimate thoughts, and his experiences that all of us "long riders" have experienced but perhaps to a lesser degree. The cold of Siberia, the heat of Africa, the pleasures and sadness of southeast asia and the reflections upon it all once home again in California.

He might have been a tough kid, but he became a real man, a gentleman.

And, let us not forget that for 5 weeks or so he was a tortured captive of the revolutionary forces of Colombia. He was famous before he became famous. But, it was not the fame that motivated him, it was his innate tender concern for humanity and a need to understand how governments, not the common man or woman, get it so wrong. His conclusion, well I won't give that away, but the book is worth reading just to have his conclusion surface from within your own experiences and from your own soul.

John Morgan does a good job reading the audible.com edition of "One More Day Everywhere" (unabridged).

Striking Viking, (Glen Heggstad) see his Ride Tales on the HUBB ! might listen to Willie Nelson for on the road inspiration, but I found his book "One More day Everywhere" my inspiration during our own Colombian adventure.


Xfiltrate eat, drink and read

Hola xFiltrate - thank you for the share and please send my best wishes of recovery to Rosa del desertio.

I had put away Glen's book as advised by my wife at the time, who judged his less then perfect character with suspicion. I travel alone now andncurrently feed my own inspiration on Australian lands (it is magical). Glen's may add to the mix, on those nights when the longing to be in company of like souls burns warmer than usual.

Then, it is good to read this thread and share a few lines of beauty; it is good to know there are always people by the fire.

May you all travel safely, and thanks again for these news.

hasta luego.

Alain

Mountain hot springs search
Primal baths call of the wild
Soak these miles away



GS3&TT2

Rides of a lifetime
Always around the next turn
Antici.....pation

GS3&TT2

Changed from mountain heights
Nothing remains as it was
Horizons renewed


GS3&TT2

"Gauge scan" eye lids droop
Mountain twisties don't forgive
Highside freefall roll

Love "Anti-Poem"
 

I found it on the wall of a beach hostel room in Ecuador.

Translation:

I am in love with you.

Roxana Rodriguez,
I do not offer you a car,
Nor a beach front house,
But I offer you
MY LOVE,
Which is pure and sincere.

I only want your happiness.

Listen to your heart and
Give me an opportunity

YES or NO

(The space for "NO" is checked)

Colombian Coffee
 

Café colombiano

Mirar sin ver:
una taza de café,
verde lima por fuera,
blanca por dentro.
Bebo un expreso doble, colombiano,
en Bogotá,
y juego con las palabras, los colores, los sabores,
con la esperanza de que llegue,
sin esfuerzo,
como si no importara,
lo que yo más quiero:
ver sin mirar.


Colombian Coffee

Looking without seeing:
A coffee cup,
Lime green outside
White inside.
I drink a double espresso of Colombian coffee,
In Bogotá,
And play with words, colors, flavors,
While hoping it will come,
Effortless,
As if it did not matter,
What I want most:
Seeing without looking.

The Need for Therapy From 'Bomb the Siver Lining' Robert Jones
 

The need for therapy
He said
“the expression you’re looking for is ‘deep shit’

I believe that describes
your situation.”

I replied
“hey patient number 13, do you mind?
That’s a long drag on my half
of the cigarette.”

He, who put two rounds through my gas tank
at maybe…25 yards.

Thing is
I was sitting on the bike when he did it

so you see
the need for therapy
is strong.

Chachi toward Cayafate
 

Dispatch: The Hubb Pub.... Cachi, Argentina 12 January 2015

Rising slowly from my side of the big bed,
I wondered if she was dreaming
of the dirt road threading Cachi to Cayafate
I had

The devil of my Colombian shoulder pain less now after a
night of wine and pasta at Oliver's on the Plaza

Martin Oliver is a Yamaha endurance rider and the walls of his
restaurant are crowded with maps, patches, posters and photographs
of the places he endured.

We sat at the small wooden table below his museum quality cleaned, pinned and glassed Yamaha endurance jacket

She was slow eyed and beautiful, those Galician blue green eyes, seeing and feeling it all
I forgot my shoulder

We ride slow
We might or might not make it
to Cayafate

It just doesn't matter

xfiltrate

author's note, Martin Oliver, owner of Oliver's on the Cachi Plaza will be riding Alaska - Argentine with a Frenchman, Brazilian and another Argentine beginning in April 2015 stop by and say hi... he knows many valuable off road endurance tips

try rideasia.net. loads of info like HU

I don't really like poetry but being creative on the road is nice. I started drawing and this came out.

Perhaps turn this in a 'creative' topic? ;)

Attachment 14746

Fortune and Glory, kid. Fortune and Glory.

Attachment 14746

Blommetje, what is she about to chop?

Whatever you want her to chop. Whatever you want;)

But for the sake of the story, a hit babe with an axe should probably hack at zombies or similar.

Is drawing considered poetry? I can post some more if I finish new drawings. My previous sketchbook got soaked in the rain, so have to start over. :(

Alex

Drawing is welcome!!
 

Good answer Blommetje! Let me think about what I want her to chop!!

Please continue to contribute with your drawings. :welcome: I like this thread to be an all inclusive art thread.

Traveler, there is no path... by Antonio Machado
 

I love this poem by Antonio Machado, especially when I am in the middle of nowhere:

Traveler, there is no path,
you make the path as you go.

As you go, you make the path
and when you stop to look behind
you see the path
you'll never be on again.

Traveler, there is no path,
only wakes in the sea.


Caminante, no hay camino,
se hace camino al andar.

Al andar se hace camino
y al volver la vista atrás,
se ve la senda que nunca
se ha de volver a pisar.

Caminante no hay camino,
sino estelas en el mar.

I always find this one very soothing:



When tomorrow starts without me
And I’m not here to see
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me

I wish you wouldn’t cry
The Way you did today
While thinking of the many things
We did not get to say

I know how much you love me
As much as I love you
Each time that you think of me
I know you will miss me too

When tomorrow starts with out me
Please try to understand
That an angel came and called my name
And took me by the hand

The angel said my place was ready
In heaven far above
And That I would have to leave behind
All those I Dearly Love

But When I walked through Heaven’s Gates
I felt so much at home
When GOD looked down and smiled at me
From his golden throne

He said This Is Eternity
And All I promised you
Today for life on earth is done
But Here it starts a new

I promise no tomorrow
For today will always last
And Since each day’s the exact same way
There is no longing for the past

So When Tomorrow starts without me
Do not think we’re apart
For every time you think of me
Remember I’m right here in your heart

Author: David M Romano

Riders
 

Riders
Being out here in motion
Beats the hell
Out of standing still...

xfiltrate, Flagstaff, Arizona

Changes
 

Rosa del desierto and I are still enjoying our ranch in Flagstaff, enjoying the mountains at 7,000 ft (yes, Flagstaff is higher than Denver) and enjoying old friends stopping by, the reason Flagstaff is higher than Denver....

We have decided to extend our visit. Yes, we will be in Arizona, enoying it all and buying up needed video camera equipment and needed accessories, new panniers/tail bags/ etc etc etc... for our next run through South America, because the (fictitious title: chief of security) of Argentina and his administrative cohorts in customs have been busted with various industrial sea containers filled with contraband gear.

As a result, plan on paying 1/3 to 1/2 more than U S retail for imported electronics/goods in Argentina. I figure the inflated prices will be reflected in the market for less than three months, the time it will take for the players to once again outfox the foxes.

I mean no malice, no negative political connotations, nor judgement, just the facts.

All this international intrigue, while Argentina is increasing its own industrial base and is rapidly moving from manufacturing power strips, heaters, air conditioners, washing machines etc to producing software, and high end electronics like flat screen TVs and financial instruments that rival the credit default swaps and derivatives of our own Wall Street.

rosa del desierto - does interviews of interesting writers, artists, actors and wannabees for a Buenos Aires TV channel and her director wants her to go on the road again, without the use of network provided cameras, lights and microphones.... She will be doing a series of interviews with South American artist , writers etc for the BA channel.

So, you'll come visit us at our ranch, we have free rustic accommodations, free parking, room to stretch out and enjoy the ponderosa pine forest.... and are beginning again "milongas with curtinas of salsa" on the weekends . And there is always the Zoo Club - a nearby authentic road house where most of the greats of country music played before they became great. Where you can learn to two-step before joining the cowboys and native americans (who dance to a different beat) on the dance floor in front of beer laden musicians.

We have poetry readings in the "Noble barn," yes a take off on Barnes and Noble book stores whenever poets show up. We have a stage and something called the "spy bar" where real spies from 19 different countries have turned in their PPKs at the door.... except the one strapped to their ankles and sipped martinis.

As Hunter S. Thompson would say: C ya

eat , drink and ride Arizona
xfiltrate

Poem for Amanda
 

Sometime during the three years I resided in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico - located about 4 hours by moto north of DF (Mexico City) I was declared Godfather of my brother Bob's daughter Amanda. She was born weighing only a couple pounds, very prematurely, and was residing in an incubator somewhere in the United States. My brother Bob was off piloting F-16s for the USAF. Not knowing how I could help and wanting to do something, I wrote and mailed the following poem to my sister in law Laurie.

I recalled in the poem that Bob had been born in Tokyo - Dad was assigned there at the time, and recently, in Mexico, I had become Buddhist after befriending a celebrated world class Japanese artist who confided in me he moved to Mexico because he could not paint in Japan. Apparently Japanese society had not been inspiring for him, I had found Japanese society to be the opposite.

Poem for Amanda

Godfather blues
Waiting for news

Chanting in a foreign place
looking into your face

A photograph

Are you really that small
practically not at all

Koichi Yanashima

An artist

He paints

He chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

The ultimate law or true entity permeating
all phenomena in the universe. First chanted by
Nichiren Daishonin on April 28, 1253 at Seicho-ji temple
in the province of Awa, Japan.

Chanted for you

Over and over

Your Father born in Japan

Blessed by a Holy Man

Koichi knew ...........

Godfather knew too

Copyright November 6, 1983 San Miguel de Allede, Mexico


Eat, Drink and ride Arizona and visit us at our ranch

xfiltrate

I hope I did not imply I'm a Hunter S expert or friend. I only had read a few of his books previously, seen his pieces in Rolling Stone .... then went years not hearing much about him at all. But I always liked him, always a fan. You most likely know more about Hunter S than I do. I just met him, that's all really.

Our meeting was brief and casual. During a break in shooting on TV show "Nash Bridges", (a total POS starring Don Johnson). Somehow, Don and Hunter used to get hammered together (years ago I imagine). Don invited him to hang out. I think he tried to hire him as writer for the show.

I was just a lowly crew member but sort of the resident motorcycle expert. Don invited me over to meet him during a break. Don rides, likes bikes, and like Hunter, loves anything that goes FAST. Don is an expert car driver. really good.

Hunter sat under an umbrella in 90F heat. (hot for San Francisco) He was quaffing a tumbler of some hard liquor at 10am ... which minions topped up every so often. Hunter S was with us two days hanging around on set and partying with Don at night.

I mostly listened ... did not talk much or grill him. In my line of work you DO NOT act like a fan boy or star ****er around the "stars". I only told him I was a long time daily rider, former racer et al and that I wrote for City Bike (local bike mag), I gave him a copy. My Ninja was just outside. He only half kiddingly asked for a go.

Don had just bought one of the early "fake" Indian's that came out in '97 or so. It used a Harley copy S&S motor. Basically a POS ...I told him not to buy it. (he later sold it for huge loss)

Hunter S was non plussed about Don's Indian, but polite. Our conversation was mundane ... just ordinary chat about bikes, riding. He is rather abrupt, opinionated ... and FUNNY ... but also deadly serious. Loved guns ... of which there were many trick ones of all kinds on set. (all blanks)

He did go on a few delicious rants with Don, who was back and forth as I sat there. Funny stuff ... such a great story teller. After a half hour we were ready to shoot and I went back to work. (sound dept.)

So that was it. Nothing ground breaking, no deep insights, no life long friendship established. ...I just sort of got a feel for who the guy was. It was an honor to meet him.

My feeling is ... he was THE REAL DEAL. A TRUE CRAZY BASTARD GENIUS. That much I could recognize even during our short encounter. Somebody took pics ... but I never saw them, no idea where they are. (On a movie set someone is always taking pics ... of everything that happens)

Don Johnson has a million Hunter S stories ... and he told quite a few to the crew. I've forgotten most of them.

In this line of work we work with all manner of celebs ... no big deal and most consider the crew as "family" NOT poparatzzi. If anything we shield them front the public, never pester them with Fan Boy shit ... and never talk out of school. It's our deal.

:scooter:

Hunter S Thompson
 

Rancho Los Rosales
Route 66
Flagstaff, Arizona (continued from that thread about riding a 600cc around the world)

molleydog, not being restrained by any spoken, unspoken, code of conduct, or law that you so eloquently described channeling you into prescribed behaviors while on movie sets, I must confess that not having ever been crew or even an extra on a movie set except that one time at Churubusco https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estudios_Churubusco studios when I rewrote the entire scrip overnight and was escorted off the lot by security because the Director liked my script better than the original. I confess I am an unadulterated fan of Hunter S Thompson.

Johnny Depp, who played Hunter on the big screen, financed Hunter's million dollar funeral - from Wikipedia:

"On August 20, 2005, in a private funeral, Thompson's ashes were fired from a cannon. This was accompanied by red, white, blue and green fireworks—all to the tune of Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky" and Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man."[50] The cannon was placed atop a 153-foot (47 m) tower which had the shape of a double-thumbed fist clutching a peyote button, a symbol originally used in his 1970 campaign for Sheriff of Pitkin County, Colorado."

And this being about 10 years after his funeral, I propose we have a memorial wake for Hunter at Rancho Los Rosales, Flagstaff, Arizona in the very near future.
I will invite Johnny and alert all the old fans and the younger groupies.

And, by the way we just invested in one of those "professional" Canon (pun intended) camcorders and two of those new Sony lavalier mikes and 2 other hand held microphones and other stuff and considering you are a "sound" man might you consider crewing for the documentary of the Hunter S Thompson 10 year celebration - "Hunter S. Thompson, Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride 10 years After."

I liked your evaluation of Hunter better than that of his commander at Eglin AFB, even though Col Evans seems to agree with you.

"My feeling is ... he was THE REAL DEAL. A TRUE CRAZY BASTARD GENIUS. That much I could recognize even during our short encounter. "

"In summary, this airman, although talented, will not be guided by policy", Col. William S. Evans, chief of information services wrote to the Eglin personnel office. "Sometimes his rebel and superior attitude seems to rub off on other airmen staff members."

Having actually met Hunter S. , as you call him, you will, oh yes along with Johnny Depp, be the guests of honor.

Bed and Breakfast on us Ride here as fast as you can to help plan the party and bring your attorney.

xfiltrate Eat, Drink and have your ashes shot out of a cannon.

Party on
 

Mollydog, looks like we will be taking the Hunter S party on the road.

Thanks for your comments on the KLR650s - we have two now and will be
saddling up and riding south in about a month, so if you want to stop by
the ranch, do it, otherwise, looks like all celebrations will be south of the border.

No response from cast or fans but I never lose hope.

C Yaaaaa

xfiltrate

Attachment 16855

It's been a while since I've posted a drawing. Mostly because I didn't draw a lot.. but I think this babe is not too bad.

She is not done bit given that I'm out coming week.. I doubt if I'll ever finish her ..

Anyway, comment away..

Alex

Has Nagel been an inspiration?

Eh? Nagel? I dont understand.

It is based on a punk drawing I saw somewhere. Truth is, drawing from nothing is difficult.. so I usually base it on something I know.

Alex

Jupiter's Travels
 

The other day, I was feeling a bit lonely for the road and roved through the latest books available from audible.com. Thankfully, I found "Jupiter's Travels" -Four Years On One Motorcycle -by Ted Simon.

Amazing, as I listened to him describe his solo ride through Europe, Africa, South America, Central America, Mexico, California, Australia and on and on and on , finally someone has given words to many shared experiences that I did not know how to bear before those who had not been there with me.

The break downs, the fear, the curtailment of liberty, the freedom, the curiosity, the wisdom, the passion, I could go on and on and on too.

Now, if anyone cares, I just suggest that they read "Jupiter's travels"

If you like to read - get the book, if you like to listen - get the audio book read by the world class reader Rupert Degas.

Jupiter's Travels is comforting for those who have been there and an inspiration to those just saddling up and riding out and represents a truth
that those who cannot or will never go might never experience without Ted Simon. Thanks Ted.

This book is as close as you can get to the world without actually being there.
5 stars!!!!!

Ted Simon also created a 501(c)(3) foundation The Ted Simon Foundation
that promotes truth and understanding as perceived by adventure motorcyclist.

When I helped sponsor an Irish motorcycle during a gone by Dakar, I shared that honor with the Ted Simon Foundation - I did not know who or what it was then, and was too busy living to figure it all out.

Don't let Ted Simon slide by like that campsite you should have chosen before it got dark.

xfiltrate

The Corner Drug Store
 

The Corner Drug Store was a 24 hour crisis center located just off campus of the University of Florida, Gainesville.

While a graduate student I worked as a counselor at the Corner Drug Store and handled - mostly overdose cases from illegal drugs, but also provided counseling for everything from birth control to suicide prevention and I wrote the following poem. Dr John Creech was the founder of the Corner Drug Store. My poem hangs on the wall of the Corner Drug Store. There are 24 hour crisis centers in virtually every major city. And, they are usually FREE. So no traveler really has to ever be alone.

The Corner Drug Store

Once there was a man named Creech
Who knew a little could be done by each
So a hundred volunteers he did teach
To help the people they could reach.

These volunteers who hold you close
If you experience overdose
They help you through the helter skelter
by providing food and shelter.

They counsel those who want divorce
Tell you "you are going to have a baby
And help you through abortion maybe,
or through adoption of course.

There is even a free Clinic
for the most zealous cynic
So if you are feeling all alone
Go ahead and use the phone
Don't hesitate till it's too late
Call 377- 3888*
copyright 1976 EVG

*ficticious #
poem was done from memory so I may have missed a few beats.

xfiltrate

Brilliant! Love it!!! :rofl: :rofl:

Attachment 18396

Poets without Orders
 

Nice touch ChrisFS

Gracias amigo - you got it!

xfiltrate

By the way xfiltrate, you left a post about Ted Simon's Jupiters Travels. That book is single-handedly responsible for getting me interested in motorbikes. I have a copy of it and another one of his books called Riding High but last night after reading your post I downloaded the audiobook read by Rupert Degas. I lay in bed listening to it for half an hour before going to sleep and I'm looking forward to continuing tonight and every night until it's finished. It is the most perfectly written book I have ever read and I'm sure listening will be even better. Thanks for the idea sir! bier

Ground Control to Major Tom
 

Roger that Houston

xfiltrate

Thomas McFadden drug smuggler
 

Australian born writer Rusty Young discovered Thomas McFadden - a convicted British drug smuggler by speaking with other South American back packers who had visited him in prison.... and by reading about McFadden's prison tours in the Lonely Planet guide book.

Rusty took time out from teaching English in Colombia to write "Marching Powder" a true story of friendship, cocaine and South America's strangest jail.

As an anthropologist, I urge my fellow travelers venturing beyond the tourist haunts of Mexico, Central and South America to read this book for valuable insights into Bolivian culture. These insights can be extrapolated into deepening your understanding of cultural differences among a wide variety of cultures. This book provides great insight into a very different system of justice.

My review of this major contribution toward understanding more than one "South American system," is, I place it somewhere between Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" and Hunter S Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." The book is very entertaining and heart breaking at the same time. Based on my own experiences in Mexican jails while working for the International Red Cross, I say this book is spot on. I suggest the audible version:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0312330340...l_402cso66v9_b

xfiltrate eat, drink and read "Marching Powder" by Australian Rusty Young

harry stottle poems
 

Bikes travels and everyday stuff that spins in my head and ends up on my facebook page.

Over landers
 

"For Roberto"

Genoa, Italy

The old world

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The new world

Sailing ships and motorcycles

Discovering life and death.


xfiltrate

RTW song writer, vocalist and barefoot woman!
 

Joss Stone's Every-Country-in-the-World tour | Interviews | Wanderlust
Joss Stone wants to be the first to play a gig in every country of the world. Many of her worldwide performances are on YouTube.

She writes music and lyrics....

Interesting bio here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joss_Stone

"Stone has dyslexia and left school at age sixteen with only three GCSE qualifications. "It wasn't that I was stupid. I'm just a little bit dyslexic and I wasn't very academic. I'm more artistic", she says.[21]"

"She is also known for performing barefoot.[91]" Yeah!

"Stone was the youngest woman on the 2006 Sunday Times Rich List—an annual list of the UK's wealthiest people—with £6 million.[11][12] In 2012, her net worth was estimated to be £10 million, making her the fifth richest British musician under 30.[13] The Soul Sessions Vol. 2 (2012) is her fourth consecutive album to reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200."

According to my calculations she turned 30 years old on April 11. 2017.

Way to go JOSS! I'll be there next time you perform Luna Park, Buenos Aires

You are a poet without borders!!!

xfiltrate

Going Beyond Words....
 

"A ROGUE cop who counts a former Miss Venezuela as a friend stole a police helicopter and dropped grenades on the country’s Supreme Court this morning in what President Nicolás Maduro called a “terrorist attack”.

Found Here:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/389987...ent-buildings/

Sometimes poetry, Bob Dylan and socially aware Argentine tangos are not enough. I could not resist posting this "action poetry" A "rogue" Venezuelan cop poses with a former Miss Venezuela, secures a helicopter and then "bombs" the Venezuelan Supreme Court building.

While I never support violence of any kind except as last resort self defense, this is poetry in motion....

There is something very poetic about this, move over Robert Burns.... the "border poet" this is poetry beyond words .
Comments welcome....

xfiltrate

Not just a friend with Ms. Venezuela, but he "co-starred" with her in a Rambo-esq style movie, this according to BBC a few hours ago. Latest says they've recovered the Chopper ... but Rambo jr. got away.

Our beloved CIA attempted 2 or 3 failed Coups while Chavez was alive. This could be more of their brilliant work here. With Crazy ass Donald in power you can be sure they've got the GREEN LIGHT to move on Maduro & Company.

Perhaps this new Rambo hero would like to hand Venezuela back over to the Corporate Fossil Fuel power brokers who ran things for 70 years before Chavez fought his way to power? As usual, the right wing there are delusional.

I think the Rambo guy has drunk the "Trump-ian" Kool-Aide BS regards Trickle down economics. Do all the middle class right wingers in the streets really think
rich corporate shills have their best interests at heart? :censored:

fact is, the poor working class still out number them by a lot ... and may
BBQ them if true civil war breaks out. Which way will the Army go?
That's the question.

Maduro is sadly, far from a Chavez ... but got to be better than the Nuevo-Hitlers standing in the wings (with Pitchforks) to step in with CIA millions lining their pockets.

Do they seriously believe that oil money (property of Venezuelan people) will really benefit the country if corporate right take over?

Just like Cuba before, the Gusanos have already abandon ship and lay around in Miami and bitch and moan how the "commies" took everything they had. :rofl:

Apologies
 

Mollydog,

I thought I sent the following message earlier, but noticed just now my response to your last did not appear here???

In brief here is my reply:

I referenced ex National Security Agency economic hit man and former US Peace Corps Volunteer John Perkins book:

https://www.amazon.com/New-Confessio.../dp/1626566747

I know John personally, from his Peace Corps days....and believe all he has to offer, including "solutions" to the very problems you bring up. He has written several other excellent books.

And, General Smedley Buter's 1935 speech - "War is a Racket" recreated by a professional actor. This speech speaks directly to your point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3_EXqJ8f-0

And, I went on to say rosa del desierto and I motorcycled the ruta de Che plus tens of thousands of K more and our opinion - not much has changed that inspired Che to become a revolutionary.

And Mollydog, , I also said thank you for your excellent comments and that you are now one of my personal heroes of the HUBB for your excellent perception regarding the CIA created action figure "Venezuela's rogue cop". Anyone who can't see this guy for what he is eludes me.
sorry for the delay/disruption of our com... perhaps I forgot to hit submit reply? or my hit was too effective? xfiltrate

I think I received your last post, I remember most of what you said. We've had the economic hit man author on radio interviews here over last 10 years ... so many here are well familiar how World Bank, IMF and other international banking conglomerates operate and sucker nations into massive debt and economic scams the actual people don't know about of understand. Only the few at the top benefit from this ... and they are simply bought and paid for.

I loved what Argentina did a few years back (you would know more about this than I)

But, IIRC, they refused to pay off their outrageous debt, thumbed their nose at IMF/World Bank. Not sure how that has panned out lately ... but it's what ALL nations in Latin America should do. SCREW 'EM! Just refuse to pay ... but don't plan on any future loans through these corrupt organizations.

Got to be another way? :innocent:

I saw some of these corrupt policies in person starting back mid 70's where girl friend's father was head of AID in El Salvador. I lived there a couple months, attended dinners, met worst of the worst "militares", I played along just to learn their plans. They thought I was on their side. :smartass:

The plan? Exterminate anyone even slightly left of center ... which is exactly what they achieved just a few short years later, starting with the assassination of Oscar Romero.

During 10 years of employment with World Vision, I traveled RTW, seeing some of the "good" results of our foreign aid. Turns out World Vision is a CIA front.

I never knew this until about year 9 with them. doh I'm an idiot, should have figured this out much sooner. But who knew the CIA actually does some "good" things too! :cool4:

I spent time in Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, Sudan and lots in Ethiopia. Here World Vision ran a variety of projects, mostly to do with clean water, creation of water wells, disaster relief, feeding/distro centers and basic infrastructure.

At present, CIA is pouring Millions into undermining Maduro's regime. Using similar tactics as done in Chile to topple Allende. Buy off unions, public worker sectors, key military figures, the press, and make big promises to the poor. (Lies)

But so far The Right in Venezuela does not have a major, charismatic figure the likes of a Chavez. If that person comes along ... then could be curtains for any sort of left leaning progressive regime.

Military would seem to be key in Venezuela. During Chavez they always were in support of govt. Now? I have no idea.

My guess is CIA would like to see a full blown Civil War. Tear everything down so the oligarch's can regain power with support from CIA, USA Sec. of State, (Rex Tillerson, former CEO of Exon-Mobil). Once chaos rules, it will be easy to re-establish the fossil fuel oligarchs to power.

Good news is the Venezuelan people aren't quite as naive as they once were and hopefully will resist Gringos coming in once again to steal their future.
:D

To: My Hero
 

see above, xfiltrate

Mob attacks
 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/05/w...e-officer.html

More of the same from the people who brought you the fictitious "weapons of mass destruction" in Iraq.

xfiltrate