Two out of three, ain't bad..

A re-write of a old poem written in 1996.

Two out of three ain’t bad…

I was sitting alone in a Austin tavern in 1996.
Drinking the long Island ice teas.
Trying to get blinded.

A old man dressed poorly ordered a water.
Bartender gave him a bad look and he walked away from him.
I told the bartender. Give the old man what he wants.

The old man smiled and he told the bartender.

Same as my new friend.

He drank the Long Island ice tea quickly and
I ordered him another.
He thanks me and he asked me. Was I alright?

I told him.
Not too good but I will be fine.

He touched my back and he told me.
You got two out of three.
Better then most of us.

He looked outside to the cold rainy night.
He told me.
“All three are hard to hold on to.
You got the booze. Number one.
You still got the road. Number two.
You still got a lot of living left.

The third one ain’t so easy.
Love cost a lot.”

I bought another round.
He raised the Long Island.
Make a cheer.

“To life.
To the road.
To better days.
To good booze and wine.
To sweet woman lost on the road.”

He smiled and told me. I was successful once.
I had the big house.
The beautiful wife waiting for me.

I choose the booze and
I loved the road too much.
Now I sitting with you.
Alone and wishing I held on tighter to the sweet woman.

I looked into his sad eyes and I asked him. What was really important?

He smiled and he told me to order him a double shot of whiskey.
I ordered the whiskey and he drank in down quickly.

He whispered. Hold on, tightly and be thankful.
If you find the sweet woman.
Who loved you.
Hold on.
Nothing as sad as a old man dying alone.

I left him.
Gave him a few dollars and
I thanks him for the advice.

I learn two out of three isn’t so good.
Need someone to love and care for you.

Before it is too late and you die alone.

              Coyote 

             3 July 1996

Author's Note

Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'Two out of three ain't bad'
Coyote,
Well a lesson was portrayed here. It takes work to live. I suppose we choose where and how our mental and emotional energy is used. Do we live for the moral good of our family our husband our wife. Think of a spouse as a brother or sister- best friend. We try. We try. Your above story shows how the human soul longs to keep trying under pain and under circumstances which hurt. Obviously I am rambling.
Kathy

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello dear Kathy. I liked your rambling and we must do our best. I lost two brothers to suicide in the nineteen eighties. Make me a listening and kinder. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Chris Shaw]

Loneliness is such a curse. Can't think of anything sadder than aging and dying alone. So many people do not appreciate what they've got till it's gone from them. A story well told here with much wisdom in its lines Coyote. Thank you for sharing your writing with us.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Chris. A old poem. I did listen to my own advice. I loved Austin, Texas. Always kind people to talk to. New York City was also. You are right. I have known many old soldiers. Me and other soldiers were the last faces they saw. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Chris Shaw]

That last part of your review I found very touching Coyote.

[softlyfall]

Endearing, in a dusty whiskery man way (sorry I'm too old to be liberated so I think men and women are juxtaposed unequals)
Perhaps it is different for women, but I don't feel like a need a man (or women) in my life to be complete. I think I would feel very differently, though, if I did not have children, if i were truly untethered by family. Thinking about this reminds me of the understated loneliness in your poem.
But not a bitter, cold loneliness. more like a patient, tumbleweed loneliness
I loved this one, I really did. You are a gifted storyteller. I wish I could go camping with your family and hear stories around a campfire.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. Women and men are the same. I believe women can fall harder and deeper. Hard to awake a broken hearted woman or man. I have met both in my days of roaming the taverns. Thank you dear poet for reading and the comment.

[Soren]

Coyote I always love storytelling and this was a good one with a great point. I loved the two out of three as the basis for it and it read well from beginning to end. I felt like I was listening to Kenny Rodgers sing "The Gambler".

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello dear Soren. I like storytellers too. Nothing as good as a good tale to steal your mind. Thank you for reading and the comment.