Payment due my friend

Just words

                              

      Payment due my friend


I sat daily by the Lake St. Clair lake. I watched the boats go by and I wrote and read. I drank coffee and I fell into Jack London, Kosinski and the words of Donne. I always had my chess board with me. I have befriended the walkers and the runners. They called my the Lake St. Clair poet.

One day a young man sat with me and he asked me. "Can bad deeds and sins be forgiven? Do we dead-end and stand alone? The old man looked at the young man and he told him. After a bad deed is done. Some bad deeds cannot be erased or forgotten. I learn the good deeds  done are just payment my friend. The young man asked. What debts do you owe? You are wise, kind and generous.

The old man smiled and he told him. No perfect man. We will trip and fall often. We must rise-up and lead with concern, kindness and love.  I believe I have many debts I must repay. Young man laughed and he told him. "We owe nothing to no-one. We must seek self happiness and survive."

The old man sipped his coffee and he told the young man. I was poor and I had AWOL parent, but I was never alone. Dear Grandparent raised me, kind aunts and uncle supply my clothing for school. I had great teachers. I remember my grandparent taking me to the parks, the lakes and sharing their home with me. I still remember sitting in my grandparent house and 8 pm. Drinking vernors with many cherries. I remember my grandfather kind voice and laughter. I always had a safe place to rest. My grandfather taught me. Lead with concern, kindness and love. I owe a debt because of their lessons. I repay with joyous heart and energy. I try to be like my Grandfather. Be the place to go when life is hard.

The young man  looked sad and he told him. Kindness isn't my forefront. I hold anger over kindness. Loud voice over gentle words.  I broke the hearts of everyone who came near.

The old man smiled and he told the man. We shall play many people in a long life. Men will trip and fall, fight and scream. One day he will learn. Hold silence and listen. Pay attention and be kind. You are young and willful. You can change your journey and be a better man. Think before you speak and if all you hold is anger. Just shut up and hold silence. Bad words and actions leave permanent wounds. In time. All your trespasses will be forgotten. Men who listen, lead with concern, kindness and love. Will find true peace in the end.

Young man looked at St Clair lake and he asked. "Can I be  forgiven and can I change?"

The St Clair Poet smiled again and he him.  Men must be like the willow tree. Flex and bend with the wind. No perfect life and all we can do is our best.

  John Castellenas/Coyote




 

Author's Note

Just words

Reviews

[barleygirl]

There's so much wisdom well-stated here, I could just quote & quote all the times I went: "ahhh!"

Kid's words: "We owe nothing to no-one. We must seek self happiness and survive." (haven't we all had this self-absorbed viewpoint at some time?)

The longest paragraph, explaining all the favors people did for you in your youthful years -- exactly the same for me, too & the reason why I try to pay it forward, as well as I can.

One of the most brilliant things I've ever seen written . . . so concise but describing so much truth: "We shall play many people in a long life."

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my dear friend. We must set the example for the kids. Lead with concern and kindness.

[JoeM]

Amen. More than just words, I think.
Thank you.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Joe. I appreciate the comment.

[...]

This is beautiful Coyote makes me hopeful for my own youthful stupidity :) that wisdom filled correction and gentle guiding will be near while I journey on.
Wonderful song choice. Starz

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Starzy. Life is always learning.

[Ted Kniffen]

Kudos, John, from the other side of Lake St. Clair. A well written piece about the interaction of age and youth. With age comes wisdom (we hope) which we can impart to the young (if they'll listen). I like your song choice, but listen to the songwriter (Gordon Lightfoot) sing it, he's a true troubadour.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. Gordon Lightfoot is amazing. Thank you Ted for reading and the comment.

[andrew mitchell]

Lovely write John, you speak like an elder sharing wisdom, a common theme, you excel in with your writes. You get bonus Applauds for the beautiful song I love by Cash. I visited St Clair in 1984, awe inspiring and so peaceful.

[Coyote Poetry]

Lake St. Clair is still beautiful and thank you Andrew for reading and the comment.

[PhoenixDown]

"We shall play many people in a long life."

"Pay attention and be kind."

"...and if all you hold is anger. Just shut up and hold silence."

"Men who listen, lead with concern, kindness and love. Will find true peace in the end."

Johnny Cash as well... This makes me think of my grandfather (rest his soul). This is beautiful Coyote. This leaves me thinking of how we make mistakes, yet it leaves me hopeful. Although imperfect, we can be corrected. Warm. Weight. Wonderful write.

Phoenix

[PhoenixDown]

Payment for lessons learned.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right Phoenix. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[emmajoy]

That St. Clair Poet should be at the head of a few governments, John!

What wise, loving words about the influences of your darling elders. Of those whose lives have taught them how to be within themselves and the people around them. If we don't learn how to behave within a loving group, we'll find it hard to live within local society, then onwards into the global environment. Each component sharing rather than snatching. I recently read/heard that these days, in our so.called civilised present, human beings generally pride themselves on being powerful... whereas, human compassion is thought of as weakness. There you have it. Learn from those who've seen and experienced life and how it makes one ethically weaker or stronger. It can hug or kick back.. one has to choose which

You are so like that poet, John...you share so willingly. Thank you so much - and more.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. I decided last year to make the St. Clair lake my place to write and read. Only 6 miles from my home.

[Valentine]

Words of wisdom John that many parents try to pass down to their children. I thank God I had parents to tell me these words. Valentine Oh yes, I also miss Johnny Cash and other old time country singers.

[Coyote Poetry]

Me too. Johnnie Cash is missed. Thank you for reading and the comment dear friend.

[MOON]

Lovely insights , words the world need now. Anger is a poisoned chalice.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Moon. I agree. Anger, violence and blind eyes are leading us to bad place.

[Hebe]

Hi John, I know you wrote 'just words' at the end....but they are deep and meaningful and your story made me think of times in my life and the stages we go through. ...very potent and compassionate story.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Hebe. Life is many lessons. If we are lucky. We known kindness and peace in old age.