August Blizzard

They come from cities and towns

through green valleys and prairies

over dead brown mountain majesties

they come by the thousands to Sturgis

They ride through country air and oily exhaust

ignore the deafening roar

on machines leaned through the turns

these riders who journey to Sturgis

They’re astride bikes and trikes

with trailers or sidecars

machines made from American iron

these bikers who come to Sturgis

They wear similar cut-off gloves

vests and jackets of leather

yet not really a uniform for

these riders who gather in Sturgis

They display their machines at their best

while some are adorned as a joke

for spectators to ponder and comment

These proud bikers returning to Sturgis

They discuss heads that are flat

knuckle, pan or shovel

with opinions abounding around Evolution

these knowledgeable bikers at Sturgis

They meander through vendors with food and drink

touristing all over Main Street

not much is taboo in the Black Hills for

those who race and rally at Sturgis

They crowd the roadways, freeways

turnpikes and lanes to converge

each year near I-90 as

they storm back by the thousands to Sturgis.

© William Lillis 1997
This first appeared in the 1997 Summer issue of the Sturgis Rally News