For many years, Frieda Hughes held a deep admiration for bikers, but it was only later in life that she discovered the true exhilaration of becoming one herself. As she marks a landmark birthday, the celebrated poet reflects on the profound joy her motorcycle has brought her over the decades, expressing a wish that she had embraced this passion much earlier.
A Journey from Admiration to Participation
In a heartfelt reflection, Hughes shares how her fascination with motorcycles began in her youth. She recalls that at thirteen, sixteen seemed like an age of greater fun, particularly as boys matured into men who rode motorbikes, sparking her own desire for one. This longing set the stage for a personal journey intertwined with both relationships and machines.
Early Experiences and Realisations
Her early adulthood was marked by a series of rapid life changes. In what she describes as a triumph of hope over experience, Hughes got engaged at seventeen to a Suzuki rider, left home at eighteen, married at nineteen, and divorced by twenty-one, repeating this pattern multiple times. Through these experiences, she came to a pivotal realisation: she should have bypassed the complexities of human relationships and married the machine instead. If forced to choose between a man and a motorbike, she hints that the answer is clear.
Embracing Independence and Joy
Now, as she reaches an age often associated with retirement, Hughes defies expectations. Halfway through this week, she becomes what society labels a 'pensioner,' yet instead of parking up her Hayabusa for the last time, she feels she has just hit her stride. Inside her head, she is aiming for one hundred and nine, embracing a future filled with the freedom and thrill that her motorcycle provides.
Reflections on Aging and Passion
Hughes's poetry often delves into personal themes, and this reflection is no exception. She contrasts her childhood ambitions, where turning ten felt like a slow crawl, with her current outlook, where age is merely a number. The motorcycle symbolizes not just a mode of transport, but a source of autonomy, joy, and a defiant spirit against conventional aging.
Her story serves as an inspiration to others, highlighting that passions can be discovered and nurtured at any stage of life. As she continues to ride, Hughes embodies the idea that it is never too late to find and pursue what brings true happiness, whether that be through poetry, personal growth, or the open road on a motorbike.
