The Spirit in the Sky
("and when I die, I want to go up to the Spirit in the Sky")
By: Dan Kuryliak
(August 27, 1997)

I have been reborn
On the wings of this mighty steed.

On the open highway, without bonds of civilization
to distract or confine me.
With the wind in my face, and the beauty of nature which
surrounds me. Who am I to question why I am here
or what is the purpose of my life?

Suddenly, I am transformed into a fearless Indian chief,
riding a dark horse with fiery exhausts for nostrils,
Lightning and thunder emerge from its machine soul
It has come to life, it obeys my every movement,
It senses my moods.

There is a brief transformation of the souls,
suddenly the man, and the machine of the man
become inseparable and indistinguishable
I am the machine and it is me.

The pulsations of my dark horse's metal soul meld with my
heartbeat; the constant mesh of its gears emanates
allowing us to reach synchronicity.
Leaving the mortal world behind us, we are compelled
to the realm of the mystic. Our journey has begun.

For the moment, we have escaped this world
on spiritual wings of silver symbolized
by the majestic beauty and speed of the eagle.
We have left our earthly bonds behind; our momentum
bears us aloft into the sky.

I am as free as the spirit in the sky.

     "My opinions have some real value, but not everyone believes that. It's not that life is so short...it's just that you're gone a long time.

     On the tank of my 1997 XV1100SP is picture of an Indian warrior in full eagle feather headress, sitting on the back of a grey rearing stallion, in the shadow of an eagle's wing spread. Lightning flashes appear around the steed. This poem describes my tank art and man-machine interface on this beautiful Virago cruiser."