The word-man

Know the truth. Open your eyes. Don't be fooled by naysayers and liars.

The word-man.

(Need men of woman to write the truth. Thank you for Hemingway, Kosinski, Twain and Nevil Shute. They wrote about the truth. The word-man must leave the truth behind. Maybe someone will pay attention and learn a better way. If we had no Alice walker or Helen Hunt Jackson. History would false truth create by opinion of the men in-charge. Hiding weaknesses and mistakes.)

The word-man

I brought coffee to the old Poet at the boardwalk park bench in Monterey in the early morning. Every Saturday and Sunday I could find him staring at the sea and writing. I brought my chess board. I hope for a game of chess and conversation.

He greeted me with a smile. I shook his hand and offered him the coffee. He took the coffee and asked. “What the payment. A game of chess or words?”

I requested both. He smiled and looked at the sea. Told me. ” You will learn to accept your life for what it is. We are, just pebbles in a pond that rarely moved. No-one can do much to change life.  We are, just fools waiting for death and peace.”

I looked at his sad eyes. Today they were filled with sadness. I asked him. “You are the Monterey word-man. You share and help us young writers. Do you really believe all life is useless and life had no purpose.?”

He smile strongly. His hazel eyes watching the waves dance. He told me. “I came here to died and to write my last poetry. You brought me into the poetry readings and pretty Poet’s. You gave an old Poet a reason to laugh and learn. Young minds and new dreams give hope to the old dreamers. I will be okay my friend. Just becoming afraid death is near. Cancer is almost done with me.”

I know he was sick. He left his family to keep them free of watching him dying. I knew death and I told him. “Let’s me be a friend till the end.”

I asked him. “Was the life worthwhile. Do you hold regret?”

He stood up and started to dance on the sand and then he ran into the Monterey bay cold water. I watched him while I  walk along the shoreline. The old Poet taught me. Life is long and to laugh. Even at death.

He came back to me. Gave me a journal. He told me. “This is for you. Remember the old word-man. Keep the poetry and story alive. Death will come. All we leave is the love we shared and kindness give. We need a million word-men to keep the truth alive and tell the world about the sweet and good possibilities of a life.”

I came back the next week. He was gone. I open the journal. I read his first poem.

Blind man

Bear the fruit of love said a blind man to his son. His father looked at his father. Spoke in pain.

Pa, you live without seeing. You live in a world of darkness?

The old man looked at his son. Told him. “I lived without my eyes for 50 years. I have known great joy and happiness.”

With a smile he whispered. “I lived a thousand days without seeing the world I know is so beautiful to see. I never saw the sun fall into the ocean. The moon rise up to light the darkness of the night. But my son. I’m blind.”

“I see a world for you to be happy in. A world with no limits, no boundaries without knowing the beauty of sight. I learn life is good and days are long. In my mind I can see all the beauty surrounding me. With each word spoken, I have learned life can be good for even a blind man such as I.”

“So my son. Forget your sadness of my lost sight. Because I’m happy. Just to be a man. Knowing you my son.

                                     Word-man 1992

He left me a note. Never give up. My Word-man friend goes forward with hope and no fear. Only blind men are the men and woman who cannot open the door to laughter and friendship.

         Coyote

Author's Note

A old story. I believe need more writer's and reader's. Can fool a man who can see the truth.

Reviews

[Bare Trees]

There is so much wisdom in your story Coyote. Sometimes, blind men can see more than those with eyes. They see laughter, happiness, joy, friendship and love in a way that is internal. Perhaps if we could see life in that way we would all find the wisdom the Word man spoke of. Great writing.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Tim. I appreciate the comment.

[Sophy Freebirds]

Your sage words are so true . Without eyes too we can see the world. Though it will be the world we create by our own imagination.. still it will be a better world.. Yes word-men bring out the truth of life.. A good read. kept me struck in... :)*keep writing*

~Sophy

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Sophy. Always a pleasure to have you stop by.

[Sami Khalil]

Full of wisdom, full of grace. I think I have read this long time ago...:)..................................

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Sami for reading. Good to see your good words upon my site.

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure...Any time...:)....................

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

That was a beautiful and inspiring story... thank you, very much for sharing that with us (won't forget the Word-man).

[Coyote Poetry]

Always room for more word men and women. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

It was a pleasure.

[Ken Simm.]

A man like this can never be really blind.
I think this is the most wonderful and sensitive of stories. It reaches into the land of fable. Beautiful.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Ken for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[Lydia Shutter]

Your writing finds its way into the reader's heart. What a heart touching story this is. The last line, though, is the one I will carry with me for a long time, "Only blind men are the men and woman who cannot open the door to laughter and friendship." That is so true. Wonderful work here. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Lydia for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[Cascara (aka Sprint Goe..]

great story!

i do believe in the power of words and poetry as well

[Antonio Valentino]

i like to believe that something brought you to him at that particular time in his life to carry that part of him with you now, to be the new word man perhaps, but most of all, to just be the dear man we all care for so much here.. I was just in monterrey two weeks ago we went out on the pier had some lunch, did some shopping and the day was just beautiful for early January.. that town is so special to me, just for Steinbecks stories about the paisanos and cannery row alone not to mention the amazing vibe you get anywhere around this wonderul little hamlet by the sea.. your friend had a real special place to see his days end, and an even greater friend, in you, to show him the sincere friendship and compassion that you did which i know is as genuine as can be.. im sure that journal he gave you is very special to you.. thanks for another wonderful story Coyote.. i wish you would one day put these poems to voice so that we could also hear your heart speak as well..

take good care of you buddy.. this was a wonderful story

Antonio

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

I thought it is a poem, but no it is an old story. A sad one but full of lesson in it. Thanks for sharing it to us. It's too emotional...

[Bad Poetry]

Im sitting at my keyboard face down crying. well it was time for a new keyboard anyway