I used to be.

The past is gone. What can we do to improve our life and show love and kindness to family and friends.

 

I used to be
 
A man is telling me of all his many deeds and accomplishments.
I smile and listen.
Pretend I care.
 
I don't believe in talking about the past.
Today I am who I am.
What matters is what will I do today.
 
I used to be a drinker.
I used to be a Lover of women.
I used to tell the world to f-off and travel my own direction.
 
Now those days seem like Myths of someone elses  life.
 
I wonder who I am now?
The drinker lost the desire to drink.
The Lover found someone to hold on to.
 
The man who ran down streets and beaches telling the world to f-off has faded away.
 
Older, wiser and smarter?
 
I know today a man needs to be kind.
 
Needs to listen.
 
Fix problems, not create them.
 
Treat others with respect.
 
I used to be wild and crazy.
 
Now I know.
 
We need someone to love and protect.













 
                          Coyote
                           2008

Author's Note

Have a safe and wonderful new year.

Reviews

[Dane Osborne]

Wisdom comes with age. Most of the things we did that we thought were cool when we were younger, we don't think so greatly of when we get older.

At 26, i'm still a young guy BUT i'm not getting any younger....so that means i'm old enough to understand what you are truly talking about.

I had my "wildman" phase in my late teens and early twenties and whilst there were some fun memories there are other memories that make me go "God, what the hell was I thinking". But that is how one learns.

A very wise and insightful peice. Thank you for sharing.

[Sahar moonlight]

I like the way you've compared between being young and getting wiser with time.
Recalling what we were as in your poem was a super hit.

So well written

[Poetic Beauty]

The ending of this poem is a strong truth that many times takes us half a life time to find the answer to. We all use to be something different from what we are now. I used to be fat, I use to let people walk all over me, I use to stay with the wrong person just so I wouldn't be alone. We can all give our faults but what really matters in that we learn from our lessons in life. I like the sentiment in this poem. Strong and true with an outstanding message.

[Karen666]

Great piece

[~Sarah~ Idríel T..]

"We need someone to love and protect."

Words of Wisdom, my friend. I truly love this poem! :)

[Me]

A very touching and elegant piece

[I'd Rather Write]

Outstanding poem of a positive outlook on life, regardless of our not-so-pleasant past experiences. We need to decide whether we're going to hold on to our mistakes of the past and let it rule our future lives, or forget about the past and make TODAY a better day. I agree very much with your very last line, "We need someone to love and protect." Great write.

[Rene Velez]

great words from a old and humbled soul, time and experience will quench the dragon in all of us.

[Scandalous]

Something lovely to start the new year with, something very touching, keep up the goodwork

~ Scandalous

[Awkward]

I wish more men would grow up and realize how much they messed up where they messed up and come up with ways to change that. Sadly not many do, I'm glad you have found a way and I hope that one day I can do the same.