Savior, liar and sinner

Just words

                              Savior, liar and sinner


Once I was saved.
Pretty red-hair girl took my hands and she whispered.
I love you Johnnie. Please don't die, please live for me.
She held me tightly and she sang gentle words of love to me.
I miss you my red-hair beauty. You were my savior.

I never show her my real face.
I loved the road, the drink and the flesh.
I needed confusion and disappointment.
Today I would tell her If I could.
Dear Leona.
You were perfect and I was the fool.
I was a liar.
Seeking the Hemingway death,
just waiting to run again.

I went back to Ann Arbor and you were gone.
I did the sinner's prayer.
"Dear Leona.
Precious lady.
Old dogs return home, wanting things lost.
Thank you dear friend.
You were my safe place for a wild man seeking everything and nothing.
I pray you found joy and happiness."

Men seeking war, the drink and the sin.
One day awake alone and
they learn.
People willing to save you are rare and few.
Old man looked to the open road and he whispered.
Dear Savior, my dear Leona.
I do remember your beautiful face.

                       John Castellenas/Coyote

Author's Note

Just words.

Reviews

[poetgurl]

Men seeking war, the drink and the sin.
One day awake alone and
they learn.
People willing to save you are rare and few.
Old man looked to the open road and he whispered.
Dear Savior, my dear Leona.
I do remember your beautiful face.

WOW! I liked this write, I totally loved this part, it spoke to me more for some reason.
Excellent descriptive writing and amazing imagery as well. You have a wonderful talent. Keep on writing.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are kind dear Poet. I appreciate your time and your kind words.

[Karen Redburn]

Wow, so bittersweet. Regrets are hard, and they are shared honestly in this poem. Sighing at the sadness, excellent poem as always!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Karen. I appreciate the kind words.

[Poetic License]

Oh, my romantic and heartbreaking friend. I have tears racing down my face.

"You were perfect and I was the fool.
I was a liar.
Seeking the Hemingway death,
just waiting to run again."

These lines are so masterful.
The agony of regret and longing are palpable in this piece. You would have to be a rock not to get choked up on this one!

[Coyote Poetry]

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

[barleygirl]

I've always felt our history was similar, with our similar wanderlust & random sampling of hedonistic pleasures in our youth. But this message comes the closest to describing in detail my approach from long ago. The story of my life & my lifelong regret:
"You were perfect and I was the fool.
I was a liar.
Seeking the Hemingway death,
just waiting to run again."

Love your gentle telling of these heartfelt stories of youthful exploration! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Margie. Most of us learn too late. We had love near and we wasted her.

[Relic]

Often times, men only hear wise words half-heartedly. Something else calls to them and they need to answer. It's only later, that they discover the truth and can only shed tears for the wise ones now long gone.

A great write Coyote.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right my friend. Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[olla]

sometimes it is the one's we let go of that teach us to treasure the one's we hang on to.. just words.. well said..

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree my friend. Many lessons will teach us. Love is what we need. We must give to receive.

[Karmee]

loved that last stanza, This is so touching. very heartfelt.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you little spacey. I appreciate the comment.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i don't know if i have ever related more to a poem on this site----the second stanza is of my old girlfriend, Cindy---

i think i wanted the same things...and couldn't cope with being content---it wasn't in the cards...and in later years there were regrets---for what i had, and what i let go.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

I believe all of us had a sweet love. Learn too late. Held a angel and allowed her to escape. Thank you Jacob for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[Alistair (Ali)]

Great piece- I think the only ones to save us are ourselves-unless we arrive at these conclusions- open our eyes to the truths of our ways- we are destined to follow the same paths.
We taste the sweetest air, only when we have risen through the smog.
Nice one!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Ali. I agree. We must want to be saved to be saved.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“Once I was saved”....the beginning and the end...sweet savior Leona, lost. Love the raw honesty and allegory here Coyote. Your deeply moving words are filled with pain and remorse, a lesson hard-learned- “People willing to save you are rare and few.”-yes. Beautul form, flow, rhythm, imagery. Great Hemingway reference. Truly a magnificent, Master-Class poem Coyote. Bravo!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Annette. I appreciate the comment.