The echoes of yesterday...

April poetry number twelve...

                     The echoes of yesterdays...

Drinking alone in a Monterey tavern in April,1992. I was trying to hide from a memory and I saw the saddest face man looking back at me in the tavern mirror. I whispered. Were we lovers or where we liars?

Once, pretty Michigan gal excited my mind, excited my heart. We loved midnight dancing and we weaved the greatest dreams. We attempted love three times and I left her on a December day in 1991. I didn't know. We were done, she gave-up on me.

I called her at midnight and I awoke her. Her gentle and sweet voice whispered, dear Johnnie. Drinking again and you are missing me. One day, I won't answer the phone. I am doing okay and you have your war, you have your California. No time for the Michigan girl, who can't wait no-more.

I told her. California is amazing. I go to the Pacific ocean daily and I am writing. I am doing poetry readings in Monterey and Pacific Grove. I miss you so. The Michigan cold days, you would not miss. You and baby Tiffany could come to be. I would make you smile.

She held silence for a minute and she told me. Me and baby Tiffany, we love the four seasons of Michigan. California is for you. My Gypsy man, my wandering friend. You have the soldier's spirit. You love the open road, you love the sea and you adore the drink. A soldier's love. A hard love to keep. Once I loved you so and now. You love California and I have a good life. A full-time man who come home every night. Please find something to make you happy.

I whispered. Thank you Jenny, thank you Jen for talking with a foolish man. I will leave you be and I pray. You and Tiffany are happy. Maybe one day. We will talk again. I love you dear Jen and thank you for teaching me. Love could be sweet, love could be bold. Goodbye dear Jennifer.

She whispered with tears falling. Goodbye Johnnie. Please don't die in some foolish war and I will pray for you. I will pray you can find your place to rest somewhere. I thanks her and I hung-up the phone.

Coyote

Author's Note

Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Aura]

Interesting read. As I read this, the message i seemed to be picking up was the theme of moving on. It seems that the Michigan Gal has moved on but Johnnie has not. This phone call seemes like their last piece of communication and they seem to end it on a semi-positive note.

[Coyote Poetry]

A goodbye, never positive dear Aura. It mean a part of your life is done and to be written. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[knighngale]

Hey there Cayote, very sad indeed. I like the twist. It's really envoking. A call, and that's it. The beach is also enticing. The ground vs the granit. :D (Maynard) 😋

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment my friend. Sometimes, we don't get what we want.

[knighngale]

I see, you came from War, and the girl didn't wait, or it got lost in translation, but it never was meant to be dear, :S 😋

[Carola]

hi coyote
in your episodical story, i read that johnnie's now talking with a different woman, jenny.
and he still hasn't got his act together! ... gipsy lifestyle & still drinking. (maybe a slow learner?)
johnnie's always choosing the wrong women to hang out with, he needs a Romany girl, a gipsy who'll go with him to wherever. 😀 🙋🏻‍♀️
but I guess there wouldn't be a story if johnnie was more self-assured & did something useful.
happy easter
cheerio carola

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Carola. I agree. I needed a Gypsy gal once and I appreciate the comment

[JE Falcon]

A stroll down memory lane, or a scene from some movies I've seen. Whichever the case, the sadness is in the alinement of the two stars. The two are not willing to give in or give up, and though it does not seem to be, they are both inwardly happy. --- Thanks, Coyote

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right my friend. You can't have your war and love. One will suffer. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Soren]

An eternal theme that different desires, dreams, values can meet in time but soon diverge, Well represented in parable form in a engaging story.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Soren. We decide our journey. I landed in the right place. I was lucky.