BROTHERS

Helo’s quick to tell you

the road recognizes its own

riding his heavy metal Harley

fierce Viking beard in the wind

tattooed fists clutching black grips

retired Marine instincts firing on all cylinders

on a solo run through the country

when Helo spots a 400-pound bruiser bear on all fours

on the same stretch of open road

Appalachian American cousins

Perry County flesh and blood

animals against the world

Helo says the bear was one

of the most

righteous wild beasts

he ever saw

if only he could fit

Brother bear

into a cut-off denim vest

with one-percenter

club colors

patched

across the back

like a ferocious fire god

guarding the gates of paradise