Young men dream and old men wish.

Age make us kinder and wiser. Must fall down many times to appreciate life.

                         Young men dream and old men wish.

I knew a boy once.
He knew the dance of desire and laughter.
Time was free and unlimited.

A fine lad he was.
He didn't know failure.
Failure was for the weak.

Everyone who tried to stop him.
Their fear and hate made him stronger.

The boy told the world.
"Don't love too hard. Love will turn your world upside down.
Woman are like sweet wine. So sweet to the taste and
will create so much hurt and suffering."

The dreams turn to goals,
everything was easy.
He had everything he wanted.

He never allowed a woman to touch his heart and soul.
He dances on lies and create bridges that could not be crossed.

One day.
A beautiful red haired woman.
Told him. He was alone and barren in heart and soul.

She came into his life.
Wanted nothing  but a gentle touch and dances in the quiet of the night.
He learn to desire love and love was not in the eyes of his beloved.

The wall caved in.
All his toys became worthless.
He looked in the mirror.
Seeing only flesh and bones.
A lonely man with nothing of real value.

The woman that he loved.
Never return the gift of love.
Young wild minds want pleasure. Not love.
Lust can overtake the desire of love.

The young man learn love cannot be bought.
Love was the base of a good life.
He never tried to grasped.

The red hair beauty left his life.
He tossed away all the victories and gave away all the useless toys.
He saw he had become old and wiser.

Now the old man sit on the beach.
Writing words of praise and life.
He tells the young people.

Real wealth in a life isn't a large house and too much money in the bank.
True wealth is children at your feet and laughter of lovers and friends always near.

The old man sit at the beach and ponder.
Beautiful faces do appear in his memory.
They still can make him smile.
He wish to be young and more wise.

Today he had many burdens. Never enough money.
He learn many thing with  time and life.
Raised four children and he had many grandchildren at his feet.

The old man looked at the falling sun into the Pacific ocean.
Thank the Gods of life and death for the red hair girl.

Who broke his heart and made him learn.

Love and kindness is all we got.

                                   Coyote
                                 1992/rewrite 2013

Author's Note

Old poetry. Any mistakes. Please assist. Never too old to learn.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

1992 is when i met my second wife..auburn haired beauty...we are still friends...but i learned to be just a bit more protective...and learned that i need to get back what i give in a relationship...

sometimes the grammar is a bit off...spelling...."the red haired girl"

"now the old man sits on the bench" "women are like fine wine"

a few other spots that are awkward.

but a wonderful poem of depth and truth about aging and what we gain from it, and also what we lose from it..once we lose the innocence then we lose the reckless abandon.

jacob

[Acucena G.]

Its beautiful, is this what happened to you ? Nicely done

[Coyote Poetry]

It did. I was lucky. I was taught I had a heart.

[Acucena G.]

good to know

[Just Kim]

There is alot of truth to this write, quite enjoyed

[@zeewhykay]

Clear and concise. The joys and fears of aging life. The goals and tears of a fruitful learning experience. Thank you for this.
Cheers.

[Luke Rawlings]

I like the tale that this poem tells, the red haired woman seems like she changed your (I am guessing your) life. The structure is good, the language is inspirational and the change in the middle is really good. I especially like the lines:
"He looked in the mirror.
Seeing only flesh and bones."
A really good job. Thank you for a truly inspiring read.

[quinfinn]

i am always enamored with your writes immediately because you tell the most engaging and wonderful stories in your poetry and there is almost always a beautiful life lesson incorporated into your thoughts and words of experience and wisdom. this write is certainly no exception to that rule. Coyote, your poetry is pure magic to experience. awesome is the only word which fits here....well done!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for the kind words. Age make us wiser. Sometime we need a kick in the head to be put on the right path.

[quinfinn]

nothing like a good woman to kick us men where we need kicking!

[Renée]

Coyote.. THIS ONE is my favorite that you have written ! oh i know you are in every piece of your writings..but this one has all of you ! I can see your heart laid out before our eyes.. Absolutely Beautiful and rich beyond measure ! thank you ! xo

[Mariam]

It's very touching,thank you for making me feel everything you write about. I like how you interpret his emotions and regrets.Nicely done)

[Rhianne Ney]

This is a great one though, and it was very perceptive