Date: Tue, 18 Feb 1997 05:54:41 -0800 (PST)
Title: Native American memories

Azi's thoughts and memories of me trailed his hoarse words, "Harley?  One more
thing...," as we sped away from him that night.
He remembered me, his small young son, clinging to him with thin strong arms as
he took me on my first ride aboard a motorcycle.  It was on a 1940-something
Indian.

I remember it too.
I remember the loud smooth noises of the anxious bike, and how his eyes flashed
with excitement as he watched me climb on behind him.
I remember being very careful not to touch the hot chrome exhaust pipe with
my bare feet.
I remember the feeling of balance and of his strength as I hung on.
I remember glancing back at the small dust trail we created as we sped down
the dry wash, faster and faster.
I remember the wind, the acceleration, the thrill of impending imbalance, of
being on an edge.
I remember Azi's "yahooooo!" but didn't know it was a paean to his freedom.
My "yahooooo" was one of boyhood admiration, as I clung to him with fierce
love.
I remember his ironic laughter at having a bike called an Indian and it being
an indian's bike.  I laughed too, but of course I did't understand why at
the time.
I remember, after my first solo ride on the Indian, how proud I was when
my father, Azi,  proclaimed me as "The Boss" for all the other kids on the
dusty reservation to see and hear.

*pae.an \'pe--*n\ n [L, hymn of thanksgiving esp. addressed to Apollo, fr.
Gk paian, paio|B-n, fr. Paian, Paio-n, epithet of Apollo in the hymn : a
joyously exultant song or hymn of praise, tribute, thanksgiving, or
triumph.

2sday!
later,
d.

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     Everyone is necessarily the hero of his own life story. -John Barth
                               ,^_ ,-.
                            ()'  \_/()

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