If I knew.

We learn too late to be quiet. Anger and violence leads only to more pain and sadness.

  If I knew
 
 If I knew.
 I would of  loved more and said less.
 
Sweet memories slip into my mind of us.
Two people loving and holding tight like it was our last moment.
 
I remember walking  hand in  hand with you.
On lonely beaches.
Never more happy.
 
 The sweet times are rare now.
 
 Eyes of youth had faded away with life burdens and losses.
 
 I look into the mirror and see a tire man.
 
 I wish to go back and feel again.
 To hunger for sweet  kisses and love til the morning light.
 
Walk down the naked beaches of Monterey coast.
In a mist of silence with a gentle hand in mine. 
 
 I didn't know laughter and dreams would fade away.
 
 If I knew I would of try to stop time.
 
 Hold you like you were my last breath.
 
                          John Castellenas
                            Coyote

Author's Note

Life is long and hard. My Grandfather told me along time ago. Nothing good to say. Say nothing. I tell my children the same.
Coyote

Reviews

[Nautili]

I love the vulnerability of this poem, you speak of naked beaches, and metaphorically your soul is naked in this poem. You admit you are tired, jaded, uninspired. I love when people are just real.
And you want to fix it, to change it, to feel the vitality of the relationship once again. You are not content to just let the passion dissolve into nothingness. Such an honest work.

[Judas Hammer]

Classical piece. Felt like it came from one of the past great. You are magical with the word...

[BIIKAY]

i love how this poem is so sensitive and passionate!!!!

[The Refined Poet]

expresses the sentiments of many. well done.

[Faraway Sado]

it is indeed extremely tragic to be the past or to even let it becom part of you. there is that constant eeriness and the guilt which goes hand in hand with the past. you have beautifully portraid all these sensations.keep it up.

[demureminds]

Enjoyable and very reminiscing piece. You're extremely talented in evoking empathy from your readers with such a simple style. Well written.

[Caradoc]

Damn...

You are able to convey so much in such short sentences. Everything is right there, overflowing with history and emotion. Each line packs such a powerful meaning and when combined to form the whole...it's incredible. This poem, like the last of yours that I read, fills me with such sadness...

I tip my hat and bow to a remarkable poet.

-Caradoc

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

If only we could go back and know what we know now.....love this Coyote.

[Otsana]

I really enjoy your writing because you have a style that is so simplistic but still extremely strong, actually I think it is the simplicity and rawness of your words that make your poems come to life and engage the reader. This is absolutely beautiful and I think many people can relate because I think everyone has had moments where they just think 'if I knew'. Great work as always.

[Patricia B. Hepler]

'If I knew I would of try to stop time'. Poignant, true-for us all. Enjoyed this one tremendously. pat