born to be mild

he pulls up the sleeve
of his denim jacket,
the one with a skull and crossbones
patch and shows
me his zipper like scar
that runs down from his shoulder
to his elbow.
then another one on
his knee.
there is a gash, healed,
and pink on his forehead.
a few teeth are narrowed
and pointed from
hitting pavement, but filed
down nicely
for eating meat.
I love my Harley, he says.
you should get one.
I can't wait for the weather
to get nice again,
so I can get out and ride.
do you ride?
nah. not for me, i'm more
of a walker, although
some of those
scars are pretty cool.
yeah, he says. chicks dig em.