aka Sunflower
Photo by Peddlar
Bio: California native with deep roots in New England. I'm a writer contributing to Connecticut Cruise News and boasting publications in RoadPoets Journal and Laconia 23. Beyond the written word, I'm immersed in the motorcycle world, organizing shows and events at Tavern 27. Lately, I've ventured into hosting open mics and jam sessions at Revelations in Tilton, NH, adding a dynamic touch to the local arts and entertainment scene.
A LACONIA ROMANCE
A Gypsy and a Biker Poet
Let me tell you a little story about how a Gypsy and a biker poet met one magical night in a little town in New England.
The story takes place outside a biker bar in Laconia, NH, where they had set up tents outside and there had been karaoke and now there was music playing for dancing. The time was right around sunset, there was a light breeze making the evening the perfect temperature. Unbeknownst to the Gypsy, the biker poet had spotted her as she sashayed across the dance floor in her white dress and sandals. She was feeling the music and the magical feeling in the air. When the song ended, she walked back to the picnic table where she had been sitting with two guy friends - one on either side of her. All of a sudden, behind her, she heard a very proper voice asking, "Are you part gypsy?" "Well, of course!" she responded playfully as she turned around to take in this perfectly-costumed biker. By perfectly costumed, I mean down to every little detail: the bandana on the head, around the neck and on the belt loop, the chained wallet, the black leather vest and boots, black jeans, bike t-shirt. Not a detail missing. He sat down next to her, in between her two guy friends. He completely surprised her by telling her that he was a poet who had studied creative writing at Harvard! To be honest, she didn't really know whether or not to believe him! But that charm he had was so difficult to resist! This gypsy prided herself on being able to position herself in such a way so that a man would have no choice but to kiss her, but her feminine charms didn't work on this biker poet. He saw right through her and held her off and said he'd call and gave a date and a time.
The first phone conversation went on for about an hour and ended with the setup of a first date. They met at Weirs Beach and from across the street Gypsy saw Poet gathering books from the saddle bags on his Harley. Now, she was confused as to whether she was on a date or a job interview! Poet showed her the signs along the boardwalk describing different attractions and she saw that his name was at the bottom of more than one of the signs. Another thing was that people kept greeting him, "Hey, Poet!" She started to wonder if he was the mayor.
They decided to cross the street to go into Tower Hill for french fries and four guys greeted Poet and walked in ahead of them. They sat down at the same table. Now, this was truly a confusing date for the gypsy! I might not have told you that the gypsy is from California and had been in New Hampshire for about a year. So, the next date was even stranger because Poet invited her to his camp for coffee. Ever heard of coffee in a tin can? Yeah, she hadn't either! She thought he was joking when he served her the instant coffee made with tap water! That was the first and the last time he ever made her coffee! But, every time she visited his camp, he'd recite poetry, read stories, play records and dance her around on imaginary dance floors! Then, there was a night he called her and asked her to go to the Broken Spoke with a couple of his friends that were visiting. That night, he gave her the nickname Sunflower. From then on, they were together every possible hour.
One weekend Poet asked Gypsy to go to a camp out in the woods with him. She agreed even though she was not a camper! They were to meet at a quaint little grocery store in Alexandria after she was done working. There they picked up snacks and drinks for their stay. When they got to the camp, Sunflower was surprised to see that Poet had made more than one trip there while she was working and had set up a little television set and a VCR! Because everyone brings these things on a camping trip, right?! This little camp had no indoor plumbing, an outhouse and the cutest outdoor solar powered shower enclosed in skiis. Poet got such a kick out of Sunflower showering out there!
Every outing was an adventure! Once they went to a little multi-building gift shop/thrift store. As they were walking toward one of the buildings, a lady made a beeline for them exclaiming you two are beautiful and she went straight up to Poet and put her hands on his face like she was going to kiss him! It was hilarious! Of course, he left her one of his books and she was thrilled!
They went on a trip to Vermont for a few days and found some cute little white cabins on a lake to stay in. One day, they took a Mexican blanket and went to the other side of the lake and laid it on the ground. There they relaxed and it's very likely Poet fell asleep. An emergency vehicle went by making a lot of commotion and Poet was awakened. He sat up leaving his sweatshirt that he was using as a pillow on the blanket. When he turned back around Sunflower had the sweatshirt on. He'd joke that it was a high crime neighborhood because his sweatshirt got stolen! It was quite comical to watch, I'm sure!
That winter, Poet went to Florida, while Sunflower stayed in NH. She went to visit him for the week of Valentine's Day. Before she left, Poet found a bike seat on Facebook Marketplace and asked her to pick it up because his computer was still set to the Lakes Region in NH! He told her the guy selling it worked at O'Reilly's auto parts, but when she was on her way, she couldn't reach Poet on the phone. She stood at the door of the auto parts store and guessed as to which guy it was and actually picked right! That guy went home on his lunch break to pick up the seat and after work, Sunflower returned to pick it up. She packed the seat in an extra suitcase and took it to Poet in Florida. He thought that was the most spectacular thing, that she took a motorcycle seat from NH to Florida in a suitcase!
One weekend, they stayed in Beverly, Massachusetts, as Sunflower was attempting to take a motorcycle riding class. It was quite eye opening to see people recognize Poet on the streets, at flea markets and in restaurants! Everywhere they went, people called out "Poet!"
This year will be the 3rd Annual Trike & Sidecar Show and the 100-year celebration for Bike Week. Let’s see what new adventures Sunflower and Poet go on!
END POEM
by K. Peddlar Bridges
HEAVEN ON EARTH
It was 1977, my first Laconia Bike Week.
As I rode over the Weirs Channel Bridge,
I looked out over Lake Winnipesaukee.
I gazed at those mountains & thought to myself,
“This is it. I have found the place where bikers come to die;
I have found
HEAVEN ON EARTH”
~Nick Tamposi
Fevers of the Mind 