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

[Bud]

"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."

These lines did it for me the most. The core of what I feel is the basis for this poem. A wonderful story you have penned, which is always a pleasure with your writing. So much wisdom, and heart is felt through this piece. I pray that all the world will see your words, taking them to heed in the heart. Thank you for sharing such magnificent wisdom...

[Brandee D. Hack]

Juse exquisite!

[Theresa]

Such a great message. When you are younger and they tell you to listen to your elders there is reason behind it. In a sense they've seen it all and only have great advice to offer. The best advice:
"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."
The funny thing is deep down we all know this yet when our time is near we will probably have the same regrets. The ending was sad but you mad eit uplifting with thought that he may finally be with the ones he loved. Great piece. Really enjoyed this.

[aching.insomniac]

theres a serene, intriguing calm in reading this piece, thank you.

[Stephen Scaggs]

Dear Mr. Coyote,

You captivate the life of changing culture, current culture, and old culture of American society in your words. Though there is not always good stories to tell, there is some good stories that are just hidden like pearls in a desert. "Life is like the sun and the wind. It seems we should know how life should be. But like the wind we change direction." I found these lines to be most mind-provoking. It helps to set the tone for your poetry. Again, kudos. 8/10.

Sincerely,
S. W. Scaggs

[alan khan]

so beautiful. always wanted to go to cali. this makes me want to even more. amazing work.

[Huggy Bear]

Wise words that were past down from mentor to student. Great poem

[Chirinos20]

A great poem. Thanks for sharing!

[Lena M. P.]

It's wonderful that you found some a kind and genteel mentor. He sounds very wise.

[Star Wolf]

No matter how long we live, if we can look back at our life and think it was good and it was worth it to have been alive. To have someone teach you is wonderful, to be willing to learn is even better.