In Monterey

We can try to escape. Sooner or later the memory will catch up with us.

        In Monterey

I called you to tell you I was all right. 

I don't remember losing you so much here.

The winter days of Michigan made me sad.

Here in Monterey I never get  cold and the sun appears everyday.

I go to the ocean.

Listen to the sea lions cry.

I don't feel so lonely.

I will stay in California.

The pain is less.

I can't promise to forget you.

But I'm OK.

I'm safe from  the hunger to hold and touch you.

The cold of Michigan winter brings me back to your memory.

The 3000 miles will protect me.

I wonder do you miss me?

The man who tried to make you laugh.

The man who tried to love you.

Here in Monterey.

The pain is less.

Someday we will talk face to face.

Maybe on a summer day.

   Coyote

   1993

Author's Note

Old sweet and bitter memory.

Reviews

[Laura Maidah]

Maybe restructuring and reordering the sentences to promote a smoother connection of ideas. I was distracted and started thinking about your writing process. Any distraction is cause for a revision. Some sentence inversions might to the trick and add a real pop to your poem! As usual, thanks for sharing.

[Samuel Dickens]

I have a few of those myself. I guess they closed down the base there. Too bad--it's such a beautiful place. A fine, sensitive memory, very well-written.

[Clarisse Nanoit]

Very beautiful! Simple and poignant. I love this piece. I think lots of ppl can relate. The ending ties up loose ends and associates (for the final time) the warmth of summer with happiness and togetherness. So perfectly written. I love this.
KH

[Jeff Bresee]

That was great Coyote. It creates the mood of calm and of yearning at the same time. Nice.

[Bear]

Fine write!! Hope writing it helps heal your broken heart. The old sweet and bitter memories; they seem to fade and the hurt lessen over time and for me "destroying" old writes so I don't run across them later on seems to help turn the memories good or fade more so each year that passes.

[Amber "Victoriomantic" ..]

I agree with harman kour. It was a very great read. We all know the feeling of painful memories and their ability to haunt. I hope you are/were able to overcome the pain portrayed throughout this poem.

We cannot always separate ourselves from our pasts in miles.

[Saturn's Lover]

Aw i really liked this one. Sweet and bitter, i certainly felt that when reading it.

[jeff hackworth]

wow i love reading ur poems especially about philosophy

[Frifthor (D^2)]

A totally different piece then what I figured it would be from the title. The love behind the words blends nicely with your descriptions of the sea, and while I've never visited Michigan, I grew up in Chicago before moving to Texas, so I know what it's like to finally get some sun. And every man will wonder if they're missed, the hardest part is not being sure if want to be. Another great write Coyote.

[Saskia Liddick]

Monterey is one of my favorite cities in the world, second to Manhattan. Maybe not, but the one time I went there, I fell in love. I stayed in Carmel by the sea, the ocean, the art, the galleries, the quiet nights and the creative days. Mmm... the poem portrays the idea of sadness and sorrow, but for me it brings back the nostalgia I felt. The way the wind carressed my face, the way the sun kissed my cracked skin. It was the closest to Eden I'd ever get. Truly, the way you explain Monterey as a city of shelter and serenity, it is true, it's a place to run away from the scars and the bruises love can leave. Thanks for the poem, and the memories.
Liefde - Saskia