Biker poetry

Biker poetry [1][2] is a movement of poetry that grew out of the predominantly American lifestyle of the Biker and Motorcycle clubs following World War II.[3]

Background

Poets such as Hunter S. Thompson are credited with writing biker poetry, playing no small part in the genus by popularizing a literary movement that focused on the biker lifestyle when he released Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs.

Overview

Biker poetry often embraces form. Fixed verse, free verse, folk song, Concrete poetry, Poetry slam and even "Baiku" a form of Haiku.[4] Notable biker poets include Diane Wakoski, who authored a collection known as The motorcycle betrayal poems. Writers such as Colorado T. Sky and K Peddlar Bridges work with experimental poetry, however the biker genre tends to work with form, especially rhyming verse. Groups such as The Highway Poets Motorcycle Club [5] have an international membership. The genre is a regular feature in many motorcycle magazines and motorcycle rallies.

Biker poets often use pseudonyms.[6] These include "The Holy Ranger" (Dr. Martin Jack Rosenblum),[7] "Wild Bill, the Alaskan Biker Poet" (William B Rogers), "Ironhorse Writer" (Laurence P. Scerri), "Gypsypashn" (Betsy Lister),[8] "Biker Jer" (Jerry Sawinski) and "Joe Go" (Jose Gouveia).[9]

Themes

Falling in love with a mustache
is like saying
you can fall in love with
the way a man polishes his shoes
which,
of course,
is one of the things that turns on
my tuned-up engine

“
”

From "Uneasy Rider"
The Motorcycle Betrayal Poems
By Diane Wakoski, 1971

Biker Poetry is similar to cowboy poetry in that it can reflect a romantic American lifestyle.[10][11] Verse will often focus on the loneliness or camaraderie associated with motorcycling, the day-to-day affairs of maintenance on the motorcycle, personal problems within a family that lives a biker lifestyle as well as substance abuse and its relation to bikers.[12] Other popular themes include "the freedom of the road", outlaw clubs,[13][14] interactions with cars and trucks also referred to as 'cages', biker values and practices and the conflicts and tragedies associated with highway incidents.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Rubber Side Down": The Biker Poet Anthology, published by Archer Books, CA ISBN 978-1-931122-19-1
  2. ↑ "Some Biker Bitches Poetry" by Kimberly Manning-Keller Authors Choice Press ISBN 0-595-15258-9
  3. ↑ Guggenheim Museum: Freedom and Post War Mobility: 1946-1958
  4. ↑ The Boston Globe "The rhythms of the road", Emma Brown, Globe Correspondent October 21, 2008
  5. ↑ The Highway Poets Motorcycle Club
  6. ↑ The Rebels p75) By Daniel R. Wolf, University of Toronto Press ISBN 0-8020-7363-8,
  7. ↑ Milwaukee professor riffs on poetry’s history, evolution. The UMW Post by Graham Marlowe September 26, 2011
  8. ↑ "A biker who runs her own business, writes poetry, and works for social causes makes it all look simple", The Boston Globe by Bill Griffith June 26, 2011
  9. ↑ WGBH Boston interview with author José Gouveia on One Guest
  10. ↑ The American Interest Online "High on the Hog" by Thomas M. Rickers December 2008
  11. ↑ Biker Poetry & the Highway Poets Motorcycle Club By MJ Reynolds, editor Bikeweek.com
  12. ↑ Amphetamine Misuse: International Perspectives on Current Trends, Edited by Hilary Klee p 116 Harwood Academic Press
  13. ↑ Austin Chronicle "The "One Percenters", Jordon Smith May 19, 2006
  14. ↑ Statement by the Blue Knights Law Enforcement M.C. on "The Motorcycle Brotherhood"

External links

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