Purgatory Inn and no place to go.

Old memories get better with time.

                           






















 Purgatory Inn and no place to go.

I have the long Island ice tea fresh and cold.
Bartender keep them coming.
They love the big tippers.
Purgatory Inn is open early and closes late.
Safe place for a man who wants nothing.

I roll the simple purple stone in my hand.
An old souvenir from a old war.
A purple crystal given to me by a kind memory.
Now feeling like a brick.
So heavy with sadness and loss.

I hold the necklace like a rare stone. 
The necklace is pretty worthless in value.
Except to my heart and memory.
I remember when a beautiful red haired girl took the necklace
off my neck. Put it on around her  neck. Promised me forever.
Then wrapped her body around me.
She whispered. "Live with me and be my love."

Blind obsession led me into the splendor of passion and desire.
With trembling steps of emotion and hunger. Walls of fear fell away and
we became one.

Love is like a Rose. It will rise then fall.
The rose will rebirth if we are lucky and overcome memories and pain.

The mystery of love is for the few to understand.
Love will die and rise many times in a lifetime.
My blue eyed beauty kissed me. Put my necklace of stone in my hands.
I watched my blue eyes girl walk away.
I wanted war and travel and she wanted real life and babies.

I found a strange peace in the Purgatory Inn.
No-one asked questions. No-body wanted too much.
I have many good memories to keep me safe and protected.

I offered the necklace back to my red haired girl.
She told me to keep the purple crystal. Hold it for her.
For somehow she knew the necklace is the only thing I would hold
precious in the darkness of the tavern and time. 

I have been to hell and back.
Funny the bad memories are erased by the thoughts of a red hair beauty.
Whispering "I love you my wandering soldier."

                                  Coyote
                              1992/2012

Author's Note

A old poem written in 1992 with more skill I hope. Any mistakes. Please assist a old Poet.

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Coyote,
Old memories and experiences are the threads woven through our lives. We are complex and this is the stepping stone of understanding the plight as well as being able to help those we encounter. Bless you in your great poetry sir! blessings Kathy

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Kathy. I appreciate the kind words.

[Sirius King]

a very mellow mood to this poem, but powerful, and relate-able story just the same

[Amber "Victoriomantic" ..]

As usual I am touched by your beautiful poetry. Your talk of love lost and the effect it has on you is wonderful and as usual, there is much we could learn. Purgatory in love is painful and difficult, but time can heal. I am glad you have something to hold on to, something physical to remember her by. To give you the memories to make things easier for you. Having something physical will enable you to properly protect the memories of her.

[Shauna Jacqueline Ander..]

The only negative thing I have to say about this, isn't even to do with the poem, it's just a typo... It should be 'An old ___'
Beautiful imagery.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

This has so much beauty and love, a yearning to be fulfilled. This was wonderful writing that touched my heart!

[The XYZ Writer]

A very touching poem, telling a story at the same time. Reading it I envisioned a cozy inn parlor, with the warm fire and red-haired woman next to it. You have explained love quite exquisitely, although I believe that the feeling can never be put into words.

A very nice memoir-like poem, beautifully written.

[Aehr]

"Love is like a Rose. It will rise then fall.
The rose will rebirth if we are lucky and overcome memories and pain."

These lines really touched my heart. You are one person who can actually explain love. No one else I know can do that... Your poems are very touching, and so is this one. Thank you for sharing.

[Sethnicity]

Man I feel you... I have loved and Lost so many in my life... and seem like every ten years or so there's... that One person that passes on which you built your world around... "I've been 'fraid of changing cus I built my world around you..."

This is so real and plays out like an old movie reel to reel. this is a very somber story... it reminds me of someone very special too me who I parted ways with not of choice but circumstance.. Sometimes I don't think I'll ever be whole again.
A Toast! To You and Me and the Hair of the Dogs that Bit Us!

I would label this a story more than a poem but in any case.. You hit this guy right on the chin of my heart....

[Clarisse Nanoit]

"Purgatory Inn is open early and closes late.
Safe place for a man who wants nothing."
This line really drew me in. Very nice. I really love your stories! You never cease to make me curious about your life, and great pictures too! All of your poems seem to tell of real life experiences, but I love that this one tells the age-old story of a man who needs to drift and the woman who wants to stay and how their loved was severed as a result. Great words you used here. I love this dearly. Amazing work!
KH

[Judas Hammer]

We have all been to this Inn. I found this story flowed weel and had great images, The words were nice and easy on the mind. Great write, thanks for sharing my friend

[joshua deathdealer]

Love is like a rose. It blossom's and then it dies. The mystery of love. Who knows. I like the wandering feel and the end of this poem. Excellent work.