Misery and the whiskey.

Hanging with Merle Haggard tonight. September poetry number twenty-two..

Misery and the whiskey.

I returned from the war in 1997 and I tried to find peace in the Long Island ice teas in the Belton Texas dance hall. I went early and I knew. Happy hours from six to nine pm. I got there early and at seven pm. My favorite one-handed bartender name Pete was working. I ordered the Long Island ice teas and he told me. Please Johnnie drink less, maybe you can dance more. 

I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder and I turned. Pretty Sally was holding me tightly and she whispered. Where you been Johnnie? I turned to her, I saw her pretty face and I told her. You know Sally. Just playing soldier.

She told me. Me and Amanda was worried for you. You didn't write to us in two months. I called your unit and a old soldier told us. You were alive, just being Johnnie and you lost your grandfather. We prayed for you. Poor Amanda cried for you every night.

I told her. I appreciate your letters. Every letter reminded me, I wasn't forgotten. She told me. Johnnie, me and Amanda, we never forgot you. We pray, you didn't die and we loved you.

I saw Amanda with tears in her eyes and she came to me. She gave me many kisses on my face and she told me. Johnnie, why didn't you call me and mama? I told her. I didn't want to lay a heavy sadness upon you. Better to suffer alone. Amanda told me. Mama loved you and I love you. You are been a gentlemen with  me and my mama, we love you. Mama  didn't want love no-more more and she told me. You never tried to take you. You just whispered love words to her.

I told her. I remembered the first night I met you. You asked me to dance. I danced with you. You were so pretty and I asked you. What college do you go to? You told me. I don't go to college. I am thirteen. I pushed you away and I asked you. What are you doing here?  You told me. In Texas, with parent. We can go to the dance halls. I remember you took me to your beautiful mother and introduced us, and I fell in love with her.

Amanda looked sad and she asked. I wrote every week to you and you promised me some fancy gifts. I told her. I have the gifts in the truck and I am thankful for you and your mama. She whispered. We don't need fancy gifts. We want you in Texas with us. We need you alive and well.

I kissed Amanda forehead and I told her. You kept me alive, You and your kind mama. I will go to my truck and I will return with some gifts. I came back and I called Pete, the bartender to me. I gave him a ring with two hands, holding together. I told him. Kindness, we need. He came around the bar and he kissed my forehead. He told me. Thank you.

I gave Amanda and her mama, some rings and some necklaces. I put the necklace on Sally and her daughter neck and I kissed  Sally neck. She turned to me and she told me. I wrote two letters a week to you and you promised love for me. Were you words true?

I asked her. Do you want a soldier's love. Maybe soldier's can't tell the truth from a lie? She looked deeply into my eyes and she whispered. I have known you for three year. You are kind, you are safe and we shared a bed and you demanded nothing. I was willing and you wanted kisses and embrace. I knew you loved me and you wanted more. I remember you told me. I was the kindest and sweetest woman, I ever knew.  Someday we would get marry and make many babies.

I told her. Tonight we dance and thank you dear Sally. You and your kind daughter gave reasons for a soldier to come home.

  Coyote

Author's Note

Some Texas poetry and thank you for reading.

Reviews

[keith]

kileen, belton, under the shadow of ft hood ... armory division
riddled with stories of survivals and loses

born in waco, raised in the rio grande valley, well traveled across the vastness
i always answer FROM texas as in past tense, never to return
growing up there is way different than a drive-thru or short (visits)

it gave me much to it's credit
mostly an awareness of the failings of man ... a prominent compassion of the lives of others without racist lack of values
a state riddled with great pockets of democracy in action surrounded by the vast hatreds of ignorance
i am a strong man, a warrior amongst many, a survivor that recognizes the influence of my upbringing and most fortunate to having been able to resist the temptations of the 'everything is bigger in texas'
who really gives a fuk?

my time in nam gave me more than any other time of my life ... i am man, i am warrior, i am survivor

peace to those that served and gratefulness to those that did not return

[Coyote Poetry]

I was in Texas in 1993-1997. A different Texas Keith. This Texas was quiet. Maybe the world was more quiet. President Bill Clinton send to to assist the United Nation. My unit went on food, water and medicine missions. Don't rate Texas for their leaders. The people were kind and generous. Here in Michigan. We have a lady leader who told the media. Even if a woman can die. She must have the baby. I want to tell her. It is 2022, not 1750, where having babies. So dangerous. I enjoyed your thoughts. When I was in Georgia at Fort steward. Only the poor black people saw the soldiers. I befriended many. In Georgia, us soldiers were, just in the way.

[keith]

there are good compassionate beings everywhere
they just need to be separated like wheat from chaff
i have never understood the mentality of ... 'praise the lord pass the ammunition'

'In Georgia, us soldiers were, just in the way.'

in amerika my brothers were spit upon for wearing the uniform for returning ...

[duff]

I lived in Texas and made some great friends. There is a rugged kindness that makes you feel secure. The cities are completely unique. This brought back a flood of memories. A most enjoyable read.

[Coyote Poetry]

Texas is a great place to live Duff. I would go back again, and I would live. If I could. Almost seven years station in Texas. Never a negative word. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[goalken]

It's a great piece of work, I've listened to it over and over again and never get bored, thanks for sharing it here. [quordle]( https://quordlegame.net)

[Coyote Poetry]

One of the great singers. Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Spent some good times in Texas. Been all over the state. I had a gal pal in Iraq. She was there with the National Guard and drove a deuce and a half in the convoy, smoked Kools and had bullet holes in her windshield. I joked I need to ride along and keep her safe. She made it back and now has three fine sons she takes hunting along with her husband. I'd venture she can shoot better than any of them. We kept in touch all through her tour. She was just a kid to me but a really good friend. Her name is Suzanne. Good read, John. I enjoyed it.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you, Fabian. A female soldier, I met many better than the men. Suzanne earned everything she got.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Yup, she sure did. She's got a lot of spunk and pluck. We're still friends. When I drove a truck I met a lot of waitresses that reminded me of the gals you mention here. Good hearted, hard working gals. You find good people all over if you look for them.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Fabian. Texas is cool place to live. I was lucky. The Army stationed me in Germany, Texas, California and Georgia.

[Ken e Bujold]

this is a powerful poem Coyote. Confessional, but uplifting. While reading it I was reminded of the song by Willie P. Bennett, Blackie and the Rodeo King. A true Canadian folk legend. His music and the song live on in a Canadian indie band who covered and took the title for their band's name

ken e

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Ken. I will research Willie P. Bennett and I appreciate the comment. I loved Texas. People were not afraid to befriend you.

[Gee]

You write as nobody else can Coyote, open, honest, reflective, not afraid to highlight both your flaws and the mistakes made getting to this point in your life.
You are very much unique :) and a pleasure to read

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my kind friend. In my old age. I remember the kind people. Sally and Amanda befriended me. In our lifetime. Few people will be truly kind and honest to us.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“My favorite one-handed bartender name Pete was working. I ordered the Long Island ice teas and he told me. Please Johnnie drink less, maybe you can dance more”
This is such a great line and stage-setting to another poignant vignette that you kindly share with us Coyote. Your authentic, Masterful storytelling with a Hemingway style, memorable women and characters- always immerse me, transport me from first line to last. Direct, real, passionate dialogue. Soldier Johnny, with his flaws and graces, always finds my heart. Thank you so much for sharing this write with us my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Annette. The now, old man and a soldier, many moons ago. Like to remember the kind people I knew.

[Kim S.]

Wonderful song and wonderful write, I enjoyed this. Beautiful read

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading dear poet. I appreciate the comment.