Two out of three ain't bad.

Lonely are the people who wasted love and friendship.

Two out of three ain't bad.










I was sitting alone in a Austin tavern in 1996.
Drinking long Island ice teas.
Trying to get blinded.

A old man dressed poorly ordered a water.
Bartender gave him a bad look and walked away.
I told the bartender.

"Give the old man what he wants."

The old man smiled.

Told the bartender.

"Same as my new friend."

He drank the Long Island ice tea quickly.
I ordered him another.
He thanks me.
Asked me.  "Was I alright?"

I told him.
"Not too good.
But I will be fine."

He touched my back.
Told me.
"You got two out of three.
Better then most of us."

He looked outside to the cold rainy night.
Told me.
"All three are hard to hold on to.
You got the booze. Number one.
You still got the road. Number two.
You still got a lot of living left."

"The third one ain't so easy.
Love cost a lot."

I bought another round.
He raised the Long Island.
Make a cheer to life.
"To the road.
To better days.
To good booze and wine.
To sweet woman lost on the road."

He smiled and told me "I was successful once.
I had the big house.
The beautiful wife waiting for me."

"I choose the booze.
I loved the road too much.
Now I sitting with you.
Alone and wishing I held on tighter."


I looked into his sad eyes.
Asked him. "What was really important?"

He smiled.
Told me to order him a double shot of whiskey.
I ordered the whiskey.
He drank in down quickly.

He whispers "Hold on, tightly and be thankful.
If you find the sweet woman.
Who loved you.
Hold on.
Nothing as sad as a old man dying alone."

I left him.
Gave him a few dollars.
Thanks him for the advice.


I learn two out of three isn't so good.
Need someone to love and care for you.



Before it is too late.



              Coyote 


             3 July 1996   

Author's Note

A old poem.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Such an excellent conversation captured with a touch of melancholy & a bunch of friendliness! I love the way you take your time as you unfold the particulars of meeting someone in your poetic tales. I also used to do Long Island Teas to get blind. I love the 3 things you name . . . how drinking booze & being a rolling stone seem to prevent the third from being a lasting joy in one's life. So relatable! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear friend. I love your reviews.

[HorrorMaster]

very good one

[ORBLE]

Brilliant! I loved the way in which the dialogue was filled with such wisdom and kindness, and the way in which the poem unravelled into a story. I want to know more about this poor stranger, he seems a wise man, good write
Redstripes

[Desert Dreamer]

You have such a kind heart, wisdom is found in surprising places.

[Amit Parmessur]

Hello esteemed friend,

You write well.

The second issue of Golden Apple has started accepting Submissions. It will be based solely on Christmas and definitely sounds very exciting! Our editors have already set themselves to work with the Submissions obtained.

We all aim at making this ezine a really nice and positive one!

Submissions (poems, short stories, sketches, song lyrics and any other) are most welcome. Read our GUIDELINES at

http://goldenappleezine.blogspot.com/2010/10/submissions.html

Have a look at Issue 1: http://goldenappleezine.blogspot.com/2010/10/golden-apple-issue-1-october-2010.html

Do consider submitting to us. We are here in some way scouting for new talent and why not try to give people a chance of getting published instead of making them suffer rejection after rejection. We are a non-profit ezine who aims at entertaining our gradually growing number of readers. Do add us on facebook too using our email add [email protected]

Regards,
Golden Apple Team

[Magdelena]

Wonderful message in here Coyote. I loved how you brought it forth. I held the image in my mind as each word came forth.. You have such a wonderful gift in making one feel what you send forth.. This just was another of your true talents beaming through.

Mags xx

[T. R. Writer]

Nice. You're extremely creative and I love the way you tell a story.

[.]

This is a very beautiful write I enjoyed this. The title caught me because it reminded me of a song. This is wonderful i enjoyed this.

[dovetailer]

What is it that makes us always peer hopefully into the horizon or wistfully behind us, but not intently into the here and now... We get so busy moving...planning...that we lose hold of what we already grasp...
A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush...an old adage...but wise...AND true...
Very nice poem...what's is sobering about it is that we all have one in us like it...
First poem of yours I've read...I think I'll read more...
Thanks

[Summer Blue]

That was beautiful...once again I feel every word! Great Job once again!

[Sarah McKeever Hitt]

Reminds me of 60's Dylan. Thank you for writing this humbly sad piece. kudos.