In the grand scheme of things, five thousand isn’t a big number

I always saw you on bikes growing up

Wondering when it would be my turn

You told me you would teach me one day

I imagine you in your boots, muscle shirt, and shorts

You never did wear what you were supposed to 

Always letting everyone see your tattoos 

You never wore a helmet 

Always had to let your little braid free 

I finally got my own just a week prior

And I couldn’t wait to be like you

It’s what I always wanted

To ride with you down the street

To the store, just anywhere

Five thousand five hundred and seventy-nine

You were one of them

And now that number is a big number

5,579 motorcycle-related deaths last year

I haven’t looked at my bike since

The few times I have, I cry

I know you would want me on it, but I can’t

All I can think about is you and 

How  I’ll never  get to ride with you

You were the first person I told

I never even got to show you

5,579 people

I never thought that statistic would apply to you

They always told me to never say never