Old Painter at the beach boardwalk.

We need to listen to the old ones. Can enlighten the mind and heart.

  




















 Old painter on the beach boardwalk
 
Old man sat alone.
He was painting a picture of a woman.
She was from another time.
 
We sat in silence till he finally spoke to me.
He whispered "Her name was Jennifer.
A homecoming queen. "
 
"She was a beauty then,
that lays in my dreams still".
 
He told me he was eighty.
The brush was his only remaining friend.
 
I asked him for a story?
He would give me more.
 
His sad eyes looked to the sky.
He told me. "The sun always rises from the east.
Fall into west.
 
Life is like the sun and the wind.
It seems we should know how life should be.
But like the wind we change direction."
 
He spoke of war.
How friends who never came home.
Were left in lonely graves in Europe.
He remembered kissing the ground.
When he landed at the New York airport.
 
He gave me a smile.
With sad brown eyes.
Told me.
 
"You will rise and fall asleep each day.
Wars will come and go.
 
We need to look beyond the terrible things.
You must  see the beauty around you.
 
Love is the kindest gift.
 It is given from the heart.
 
Love is fair,
You must give more sometimes or less.
 
I wish to said I love you more.
Gave more kisses and love to friends and family.
 
I wished to have complained less and celebrate living more.
 
Old friends ride in my memory still.
The laughter and craziness of youth.
 
I wish to thank my friends for allowing me to know them."
 
I asked the man was it worth it?
 
The old man touched his painting.
Told me. " Friends and lovers had create more pleasure than pain.
 
I would stand my ground again . 
Go to war  for the freedoms I have.
 
Look beyond self-pity.
Life is for the warrior who is not afraid to love or fight.
 
He whisper take no chances and there isn't joy to be touched. "
 
I thanked him.
I  visit him often till one day he was never came back.
I hope he found his friends and family.
 
I watch the sun fall into the sea.
I  thank the spirit of life and death for another day to celebrate being alive..
 
                                  Coyote
                              1992
  

Author's Note

A old poem. The coast of California have so many kind and gentle Writers, Poets, Painters and Musicians. Willing to tell a you story of a long and good life.

Reviews

[Cascara (aka Sprint Goe..]

Great work- I guess we all see the good in our lives when it's about to slip away from our fingertips.

And what a powerful last stanza- especially your metaphor and the way you seamlessly provided an explanation for it right away.

Overall, a wonderful, poignant story.

[Coyote Poetry]

The people we meet who tell us of a great life. We were lucky to have met them. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Cascara (aka Sprint Goes Cascading!)]

My pleasure

[Arshina]

this one is really wonderful, sir! And it teaches you how to live, how to love and how to learn. :)

[Cassie Fraga]

ooooohhhh my gooooodness!! I love this poem Coyote... so much inspiration!!
**take no chances and there isn't joy to be touched.** that speaks so loud to me, and is something I try to live by. thank you, thank you for sharing such a beautiful piece!!!!! = )

[Annie]

Wow! You're right, old people carry such wisdom, such a deep vault of memories. Great poem.

[Everett DeValle]

Wow, breathtaking poetic story. I felt it. Beautiful poetry of California and its natives like me. :)

[newyearnorma]

god, i just fell in love with this poem. one of your best!

[The Analog Kid]

Youe poem made me feel like I was there on the west coast with an unknown artist doing his thing full of words of wisdom about life.

[Gomer LePoet]

Yes Coyote, he was right and you are right. We cannot every be afraid to live and to love, and never take what you are given for granted. soak up every precious moment and share every beautiful thought. I give thanks everyday that I was not born into a impoverished world like the children of Afghanistan or other war ravaged and tyrant run countries, who never know the beauty of our freedoms.

[Groovy]

Nice write

[Robbie~xoxo~]

You have a way of inspiring...The story here, tells the reader to love your present, not taking things for granted...which I find this to be a treasure from your heart. Thank you for sharing!