Dear Monterey

Just words

                              Dear Elena



     Dear Monterey

The kind Gods took me from war to you dear Monterey. I joined wars to try to die the proper death. Suicide, I couldn't do. War didn't want my death. The mercy of the Gods and dear Monterey took me to the paradise of the Pacific ocean.

I loved the sea. I befriended her and I tried to drink myself to death near her. In early January of 1993. Dear Elena, a Monterey Poet and California natural beautiful woman followed me to the Monterey bay. I had two bottle of Jack Daniel's whiskey and the night was still young. She came to me and she asked. Dark Poet, what are you doing? I saw perfect coffee brown eyes and I told her. I'm okay dear Elena. I'm just finishing a job I must finish.

I knew her. She was always kind to me. Always showing concern and holding my hand at the Monterey Tuesday poetry open reading. I befriended her and I kept my distance. She asked me often. Are you okay my soldier friend? If you need someone to talk to. Please talk to me.

She opened the bag and she saw the whiskey and she asked. Will you find peace in the whiskey dreams? Dear dark poet. You must forgive what you have done. All of have sins and all of us. Must learn. To forgive the face looking back at us in the mirror. I handed her a poem and she read the words.

"Drinking, bleeding and dying.
Living, trying and failing.
Lying, crying and anger.
What is left?
Old dreams had turn to dust, new dreams seek the sea.
Today I remember the face of laughter.
Old man had accepted the quiet death.
Slow and deadly.
-----
Elena, The California beauty looked at me and she told me. Old memory and the drink isn't your wealth. You must forgive your bad deeds and find something to make you laugh and sing again. She reached into the bag, opened the bag and she took the two bottles of whiskey to the sea. She opened them and she dumped them in the sand.

I went to her and I asked. What is my value? I left only death and sadness behind me. My heart is cold and lifeless. She came to me and she wrapped her arms around me. Please walk with me, please talk with me. Tonight we go to Pacific Grove and I will make you some rosemary tea and honey. We can sit in silence or we can talk till the dawn. You and I will walk to the cliffs of Pacific Groves and we shall watch the whales swim by.

I looked at her eyes and I brought her closer and I whispered. I'm not worth saving.  She touched my face with tender fingers and she whispered.

You are worth something to me. You read and edit my work. You treat me with respect and kindness. I feel beautiful in your eyes and you demand nothing. I want you to know.

Love, can be sweet.
Love, can be bitter.
Life can be hard and life can be easy.
You and I.
We have found common ground.
I will try to save you and maybe you can save me.

At 7 am. Two people holding hands, drinking rosemary tea with a lot of honey. Waiting for the whales to swim by.






                          John Castellenas/Coyote

Author's Note

Just words.

Reviews

[Vivian Fisk]

I couldn't at first see what made this simple piece so magical. I had to read it a few times before I realized it was the use of the simple period, almost the only punctuation used. It somehow gives the poem a gravitas, a dignity that calms the soul even through the despair. It is dirge-like in some way, this repetitious use of our single most final punctuation tool. It echoes the finality the man is considering in his actions. I haven't ever seen this before. If I am able to recognize genius, I must say I see it here.

By the way, I went out and read your three poems by Seeger, Kilmer, and McCrae. How utterly, utterly sad to see they died all in WWI. And how dreadful. The Seeger poem as you know was JFK's favorite. Our last warrior leader....

[Coyote Poetry]

The war poets. Lost and they left a few words for us only. Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[merit]

;)
I also like Cohen, and this is great way to tell a story, nice phrases in there;)

[Coyote Poetry]

Leonard Cohan, missed Poet of the song. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Hailey Juliet]

"I looked at her eyes and I brought her closer and I whispered. I'm not worth saving. She touched my face with tender fingers and she whispered.

You are worth something to me. You read and edit my work. You treat me with respect and kindness. I feel beautiful in your eyes and you demand nothing."

This part really struck a chord with me. To feel worthless and beyond saving and to be redeemed by the simplest acts of love and compassion. Respect and kindness, so simple and often so easily overlooked. "...and you demand nothing". unconditional love of humanity and another person, not explicitly eros, but agape, with no strings attached, no caveats or conditions, no restrictions or expiration dates. This part, as I said, really got to me, I love it.
Overall this was a great piece of writing which I enjoyed beginning to end. Thank you for sharing this Coyote.

Hailey

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Hailey for reading and the comment. I appreciate your time.

[The Iron Horseman]

Truly beautiful, my friend. Extremely tender and touching. A good woman is so often a cure for a man's grief and pain. I think this may be my favourite piece of your work! Well done.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. I do appreciate your kind words.

[D.H.Simmons]

Is this a traditional poem? I couldn't get through it.

[Coyote Poetry]

Just my epic poetry. I write what I feel and think.

[R.E. Ray]

The common thread in your work, Coyote, is humility. It's what comes to mind when I read each new poem. No exception here.

You poem speaks to the power of love (not the romantic love we usually read about it on here, but love for humankind). This is why we live communally--to protect and care for each other. This point is summarized in the last line of the ending poem... "I will try to save you and maybe you can save me." In my mind, this is a chorus that plays throughout life. Another powerful, heartfelt poem from you.

[Coyote Poetry]

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

[barleygirl]

For the past few months, I have been saying: "This is the best one of yours I've read so far!" You may be sick of me saying this, but I'm blown away by how your writing has been growing in depth & complexity, month by month. Also, I love that you're posting new writing so often, as I always love seeing something new from you. I've been on this website 2 years & it's like I've been watching you grow in your writing, plus I've been getting to know more about you on a deeper level, as you reveal more & more about your life. I totally understand & feel compassion for the story you are telling, little by little. I love the blend of harsh life & beautiful surroundings, many parallels to my own life (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Coyote Poetry]

Life can be difficult. We need kind people to make us know. We are needed. Thank you Margie for reading and the kind words. I do appreciate.

[KCthelastboyscout]

This is exceptionally beautiful. You always begin your stories with "just words" but the way you use them make them much more than you imagine

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. You are very kind and I appreciate the comment.

[Karmee]

Love, can be sweet.
Love, can be bitter.
Life can be hard and life can be easy.
You and I.
We have found common ground.
I will try to save you and maybe you can save me.

I REALLY LOVE This part Coyote,
This is a really good write here.
Awesome write

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the kind words. I do appreciate.

[Dave]

Such beautiful words! To have someone who cares for you so much. What a blessing it must be.
"You are worth something to me. You read and edit my work. You treat me with respect and kindness. I feel beautiful in your eyes and you demand nothing. I want you to know."
What more could one ask for?

Take care - Dave

[Coyote Poetry]

Best people are the one's who make us laugh and demand little. Thank you Dave for reading and the comment.