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.

[RJM]

Excellent, about what really matters in life. Is this based on a true event because it's very beautiful.

[Jessica]

Wow! Coyote, what kind of poem is that? I cannot understand it wery well, and the message is too deep for me to read .From my knowlege of vocabulary, It sounds ......something more than love, ( should I say this?)

Anyway, to my vocabs, the basic meaning of this poem is touching.
Keep it up! The most talented writer in here. You expressed the feelings very well, but may I ask that is long Island a king of beer?

[Vanna Renee]

I love the texture of this, how it's said in a tone of how it'd really be said.
This is, shockingly, written days before the day I was born.
This is a great writing.
I constantly enjoy reading this down to earth sort of writing you commence.
Don't you ever stop Coyote,

Agnes Cross

[?]

"All three are hard to hold on to.
You got the booze.
You still got the road.
You still got alot of living left."

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

So true, lot of meaning in this story, nicely written
Thanks

[Norma M Sutton]

The old are often wise.

[Lovely Lady]

Always delighted to read your requests... Thanks for sharing... it was wonderful to sit with you and your friend...

[Jess.]

Very nice. I like this a lot.

[Bette]

very sweet and true. love the story.

[Mark]

Well two out of three is better than none. Thats what I got anyway.

[Lady Insomnia]

Heartfelt and so real