Can't go back

After breaking a heart. Better not to look back. Can't return back to the place of sweetness, after burning down the bridges with bad actions and words.

                              Can't go back

Last time I saw you. You were covering your face and hiding tears. I knew when I exit the door. I couldn't return.

I had everything once and wanted more. You told me. "Wild and crazy Johnnie. You must stop and hold on to me.  Even the wild sea know calm and must rest. Johnnie, the wars and regret are gone. Stay with me and allow our hearts to grow to everlasting and a good love."

I left you on a Winter day to go fight wars for men who did not care if I lived or died. I learn life is like a old willow tree. The good branches will grow and expand. The bitter branches will slowly die and be forgotten.

I called you. I was seeking redemption. I told you. I have not forgotten you sweet Julie. You lay heavy upon my mind. Beautiful Julie told me. "Once we had a clean love. Free and wild. We were intoxicated with each other kiss and touch.  We left the cold world outside and we both healed. You decide war and the road was more tempting than my love and my embrace. You can't go back Johnnie. Clean love become dirty love when sadness overtake the good days. I love you Johnnie. Take care of yourself. I can't take another goodbye dear Johnnie."

I sit in the Austin Tavern now. I became the the tavern Poet. The kids listen to my advice with wanting ears. I tell them. No redemption for men who live for war and sin. Worldly goals will lead you to dead-ends and loneliness. If a woman love you. Hold her tightly and tell her. She is the reasons for you to be alive and you want to love her to your dying day.

                           Coyote/John Castellenas

Author's Note

Love. Most precious gift given and received.

Reviews

[....................]

Love is the most precious gift and losing it is the toughest anyone has to go through. Your poem is filled with heartache and buries itself deep in the tendrils of regret.

"No redemption for men who live for war and sin. Worldly goals will lead you to dead-ends and loneliness. If a woman love you. Hold her tightly and tell her. She is the reasons for you to be alive and you want to love her to your dying day." Sound advice! Great write!

[Coyote Poetry]

I did learn too late. I did get a second chance to do better. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[....................]

Great to hear!

[Mitali Shah]

Very well penned down my dear poet friend. I can very well relate with your love Julie in this. Really wish if you could have stayed back with her and never let her go away. God bless :)

[Coyote Poetry]

When we are young. We appreciate little. I learn too late. I had a diamond. Thank you Mitali for reading and the comment.

[Mitali Shah]

your welcome dear. God bless

[Susie Q]

A lot of emotion in this poem, saddness & truth. Hold on to love that is like no other & you will surely be blessed.

[Coyote Poetry]

Yes you are right. Most of us had to learn the hard way. Thank you for reading and the comment my friend.

[W R Stowe]

So much truth in this write nothing worse than regrets need to weigh the consequences and actions before deciding point well written

Bill

[Coyote Poetry]

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

[W R Stowe]

your welcome

[catwoman]

love really is what matters in the end...it's such a sad yet beautiful poem..i love it :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment. I agree. Without love. What are we?

[andrew mitchell]

A powerful write CP. Juggling work and love is not a smooth ride filled with obstacles and misunderstandings and more so for the loved one waiting

[Coyote Poetry]

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

[andrew mitchell]

its a tough life in the armed services for your country, you not only put your life on line but you sacrifice a relationship or a love whether you come back or not

[GreenEyedPoet]

Love sure is a precious thing and losing it is definitely tough.
This piece is full of emotion, and shows how life can be so bittersweet sometimes. Great poem!

[Coyote Poetry]

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

[GreenEyedPoet]

Welcome. :)

[Lydia Shutter]

Love is indeed the reason for waking up each day and moving forward in life. Unfortunately, life does not have a rewind button and so often we realize a little too late what love meant to us. The poignancy of this poem is so honest. Bittersweet loveliness, John. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Lydia. All of us must learn the hard way.

[KelWriter]

One thing real love does is make you give up certain worldly pursuits. This poem was packed full with so many emotions. I loved every word. Great stuff

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate. The best poetry is bout love.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we fight wars on the battlefields, we fight wars of love...and we become those poets of the taverns...we are listened to, we are read, we have such philosophies of the pain of letting go, of running away...and they all listen...but then we never listened when we needed to...we didn't heed our hearts when it counted...and we become poets, flying into battle, solo.

this write moves me much.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Jacob. I'm honored you liked the poem.

[Pryde Foltz]

I left you on a Winter day to go fight wars for men who did not care if I lived or died. I learn life is like a old willow tree. The good branches will grow and expand. The bitter branches will slowly die and be forgotten.

Such a wonderful write, Coyote:)

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Pryde. I appreciate the kind words.