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.

[red_saphyre]

this is a very touching poem. im at a loss for words. but keep writin because you have a gift.

[De'Andre]

It's the sole truth that we just can't seem to face. It's like a code that we abide by. " We only hold on to what we concieve" as right. Sometimes we just forget what we have in front of us. Good right man. Keep'em coming!

[Knackers]

great poem, well written. I can see the meaning in it but beg to differ..... you only need 1 out of the 3 - and that is Love.... I think if you have love then you don't need anything else - love will bring you all the happiness you ever need... Just my humble opinion....

[Sonali]

You really have a talent of jotting down the different experiences you have had in your life lucidly n lyrically n thats a great habbit.I finally feel that your grammar gives ur poems ur own trademark n it feels good to read it that way.:) Like the lines
I looks into his sad eyes.
Asks him what was really important

But I really hope u finally got all three of them now or atleast the third one u lacked at that moment. :)

[Tina Kline]

Very emotional. If you find love you need to hold onto it by cherishing it and not by force. Surrendering to drink and drugs you lose the most important thing in life, love. But life isn't easy and I think no one really chooses to become an addict. Wonderful piece.

[Elizabeth]

From start to finish, this piece is haunting and perfect.

[G. Marie"floating on an..]

nicely done coyote. your poems always are so meaningful. love it. i got lost in this little story and could picture the whole scene in my mind. yeah two out of three aint bad. it depends which two you got. right coyote???

[M.Kilani]

I'd say only the third one is good, booze and read are quite good yet not enough to feel alive !! I only go for them in order to forget, to run away from life itself !!
great piece my friend, quite a lesson ... well done .

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

We can't have it all so we must appreciate what we have... those who live by the bottle eventually find it their only companion... nothing beats the love of another person... three great points made in this story.

[Huggy Bear]

Gratifyingly awesome:)