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.

[Eric Cox]

Nicely penned tale-like poem full of meaning. Love is something we all need, I believe we all eventually find it.

[Stacey Watts]

Outstanding words here. Shows so many wise words. I like the story to this. Very well written.

[Freeman]

Enjoyed your poem what a great story
"Love is all you need"

[Shannon]

I rather enjoyed reading this. Made me think about what I cherished and what I've let slip through my fingers.

well done
x

[Helen Woodward]

It may be an old poem, but it packs a punch Coyote. You have a way of putting philosophy on the table and making it simple. If you have no one to sail through the autumn years with then you have lost the battle that life hands you...it's the third out of three possibilities that is the important one because it is last in line.
Enjoyed very much your expert advice as always :-))

[Shante Payne]

Seeing my situation...this made me sad, but I love it regardless. You teach a great lesson.

[Ladysue]

A remarkable piece of writing...full of wisdom.. the last three lines really make an impact...an outstanding write....so glad I came by...

[Alicia Schroeder]

Great wisdom in this poem, life lessons are alway's good, but holding on to what you love is better, awesome writting.

[Gomer LePoet]

Two out of Three beats a blank, but should never be acceptable. nothing is acceptable that is less than it could be. however there is a cost for everything. you have to give a lot if you want a lot. thats just the way it works. keep on keeping on Coyote

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

insight into the human heart manifests itself in the most beautifully odd places~ the miracle is in noticing that sometimes wisdom isn't wrapped in glitter but a pair of old hands and old eyes that have seen the inside out of life~
beautiful clairty exhales its wisdom through your deeply touching poem~