Once upon a time.

Just words.

                                Once upon a time

I found you at the mall walking and  I kept an distance from you. I was just looking at a sweet dream lost. I wondered did you remember me? We were lovers once and our love wasn't enough. For a second I remembered us. We were young and filled with dreams and hope. We twisted-up two lives for a time. I was going to save the world and you were going to because a artist and stand tall for the cause of hope and peace. I remember our long drives to the states borders touching the Michigan lines. Us staying in cheap motels, talking and making love till the morning light. Somehow we knew. Love was just a flicker of a lighter. The flame become hot very quickly and  fade away to taverns tales for drunk men.

For a second I remember your beautiful face and you whispering. I love you, I love you, I love you Johnnie. You turn to me and ran to me. Your words desperate and sad. "Johnnie, I can't believe you are here. Where have you been?" You embraced me tightly, kissing my cheeks and lips. I told her. You are more beautiful than I remember. She laughed at my words and she whispered. "I'm older and not so beautiful no-more. Age catches up with us and the hard days steal from happy heart and soul. Johnnie, what do you do now? Last time I saw you. You were leaving for war. Writing the great novel. Did you see the world and find the Hemingway dream?"

I told her. Sweet Jenny. I did enough and I learn too late. We give-up what is truly sweet and kind too late. I saw 40 countries and found the Hemingway's taverns and places of beauty. In the victory of the moment. I wished you were with me. I never forgot you dear Jenny.  Jenny looked sad and she asked. "If you needed and love me. Why didn't you come back and stay?"  I whispered. I did and you were with child and in love. I knew love is fair. You were a kind gift once and I released you for the songs, drink and the road. Dear Jenny. How are you?

Jenny looked very sad and she told me. "I had a good life. Now alone. What I thought was true love. Was 20 years of living together with a man  who never asked me about my dreams. Never danced in hidden motel rooms and he never made me laugh. I did remember you Johnnie. I wished daily to find someone who could make me dream and live, but I'm okay. I accepted less."  I brought her close and I told her.

I became the midnight Poet and  I found children who needed me more than the road and the booze. The Hemingway dream is gone. Life had gain value. I learn we must accept what is given, but my Jenny. You are  the sweet dream. A once upon a time wish that was plundered by goals of a proud young man. Old men know. True love is rare and fair. Young men believe life is never-ending. It does end my Jenny.

Jenny eyes were filled with soft tears and she told me. "We could of been something honey. So sad we allowed fear and loneliness to make us forget. We knew love once. I learn too late too Johnnie. Love demand payment and we were too young to realize. We should of held on tightly and allowed the hurricane of life to stay away."

We sat drinking coffee and she told me of her work and her children. Her blue eyes became more blue as she described how she became a nurse and she was okay. She told me. "I must leave you Johnnie. We must get together and drink more coffee and talk. I miss you face and your laughter." I told her. You can find me on the midnight internet and I hope we can talk again. I wish you, joy and happiness dear Jenny.

She walked away and she broke my heart again. I knew I wouldn't see her again. She was a sweet dream  and deadly nightmare  for my lonely night and wishes. Love splendor captive us in the darkness of a fragile life. Forgotten faces scarred our body and soul. In the end. We learn. We betrayed ourselves. I whispered to a sweet dream lost. I loved you, I loved you, I loved you Jenny.

                                    John Castellenas/Coyote

Author's Note

New poetry.

Reviews

[Solar]

I like with just the right amount of words a story is conveyed, another reference to Hemingway, in a way.

The present and the past and the future - two lives weaving apart their paths.

'She was a sweet dream and deadly nightmare for my lonely night and wishes' - was it his fear of being trapped by her?

I liked the way you balanced narrative details without overpowering the core story. An engaging read.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Solar for reading and the comment.

[Solar]

You are welcome, as always.

[Willard Wells]

"Life had gain value" maybe "Life had gained value"

Very well done piece. I like it very much. And Harry's "Taxi" was a good music selection and one of my favorite songs and artist. In polite conversation, we say all the feelings of what was lost and missed, but in the end, we know that nothing has really changed and our paths are very separate even with love lost.

Some things we say are never meant to be. When really it is just that other things that are more important, are meant to be. Destiny?????

[Coyote Poetry]

Destiny is a bear. We rarely get what we need. Maybe a good thing? Thank you Willard for reading and the comment.

[Athena writes]

This was another incredible story in a poem. The language was fantastic and feeling of loss and accomplishment, joy and frustration all came together in a fascinating finale.

I do have to mention though, there is no phrase like 'should of' or 'could of' in English. It's 'should have' and 'could have' and it can't be contracted any further. It's one of my pet peeves as a former sub editor. Hope you don't mind.

[Coyote Poetry]

I appreciate the help and the comment. Thank you for reading.

[Wicahpi]

They say, 'it's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all' - I oft times ponder this, then ask myself, 'is it?' These past loves are never truly forgotten. I am sure it must be true that to have touched love, even for a moment, is a gift treasured for always. I enjoyed the read that brought back a few my own memories of youth.

[Coyote Poetry]

I believe old wisdom is true. Old heartbreak seem less painful today. Thank you my friend for reading and the comment.

[sonnie ibadah]

a very beautiful piece....and the ending...... You are very talented

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Sonnie for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[Writer forever]

Sas but beautiful hope you have a chance to read my poems

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and I will some of your work now.

[russ]

Life is full of tough choices. Better to have loved and lost I say, and seek out your destiny rather than compromise who you are

[Coyote Poetry]

Yes you are right. All of us are destine to land somewhere. Wanting or not. Thank you Russ for reading and the comment.

[Mary Helda]

A beautiful sad story...the ending almost brought tears to my eyes...if you can,please allow me make some suggestions...

Stanza1..you need to distinguish the use of articles "an" and "a"...an artist instead of a artist...a distance instead of an distance..then i think you cud say "a lost sweet dream" instead of "a sweet dream lost"...

Stanza 2...in my opinion the beginning of a stanza shud always be captivating...i was thinking u cud start it by saying,,,"For a moment i got lost in my reverie,remembering your beautiful face....."..
Those are merely suggestions... otherwise.your poem is amazing...i loved it

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Mary for the help and I do appreciate. I will fix tonight. I'm babysitting my grandchildren today.

[Mary Helda]

Ohhh..how amazing....they are lucky to have you..and you are welcome:-)

[A hare off]

Sad but oh so beautiful a story you have penned. This is dream-like, to see her again after all those years, does she remember, has she been happy, does she regret us not being anymore than we were. Then to find that maybe the answers are yes but time has created a big "no" in the way. This was wonderful.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend for reading and the comment. Things we couldn't have. Always leave us with questions.

[Deanna M.]

This is a beautiful piece of writing. I really love reading your poetry, because I feel like it takes me away. Especially this one. This one makes me feel everything that you've written in here.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Deanna. I appreciate the comment.