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

[Bear]

BRAVO!!

[jeff hackworth]

that was just great

[Simple_mee]

So true and beautiful. Ur poems are always a pleasure to read. Rich, deep and grand...

[Georgia Gypsy]

This was great Coyote, i love the narrative of your poetic stories, always a treat to read!!

[The Lone Wolf Prose]

Wow. Your narrative poems are so poignant and genuine. I can literally see the scene - simple, quiet, and full of reminiscent thoughts. Your message is so true - live life and to the fullest that the pain of the old man seems even more stark against the serene setting; the squandering and maybe even thoughtlessness of youth - not appreciating each and every moment as well as the people you share those time capsules with. Very deep poem. Thank you for telling the story.

[Rhonda]

i love this poem. we should enjoy every day we're alive. i live by the coast of california and i know what you mean. thanks for the best poem ever. you truly have talent at this. keep up the good work. thnx :D

[Blue tailed kite]

I love all your poems.. they speak of loss and the effort to overcome the loss, this was a very touching poem, I kept reading it again and again, so many stories woven into one poem... beautiful

[Rose]

Being alive sure is something to be greatful for. If we do not tell people how much they mean to us they might dissappear one day without ever having heard us say it. As always, a pleasure to read your work.
Yours truly Rose

[Liz Alexander]

I love it. This poem is beautiful.

[Tate Morgan]

TO see the best of life is what we all should aspire to do .Your writes are so soulful and damn good