One of my favorite poems. “Two out of three ain’t bad.”
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.
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
Congratulate yourself. Most would have never heard a word he had to say much less given him the respect you did. Many people go through life never learning how to listen. Léa
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Good to listen. Old age had taught me to talk less and listen more. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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Listening came easy for me it was talking I choked on. The writing just seemed to leak out before the floodgates burst…
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My Favorite. I really like the rhythm of this poem John and the colloquial language.
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Thank you. I was told I’m hard to copy. Maybe a good thing.
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I’d say so : )
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Hi John. He is not the only one without a woman for company. Thank you so much for liking my poem ‘ Dangerous Games!’ The Foureyed Poet.
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You are welcome and you are right.
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Very heartfelt poem. I look forward to reading more from you. Thank you for visiting my blog. Do drop a comment off next time.
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I will and thank you for stopping by.
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Amazing poem. I know some people like this lonely man. Unfortunately, people dont know what they have until they lose it.
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You are right. Many lonely people in the taverns. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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So poignant and yet so wonderful:)
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Thank you Janet. I like the Meatloaf song. His words gave me some positive motivation.
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Captures all the essence of love lost. sad and beautiful.
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Thank you for reading and the comment. Sometime we must reach bottom to see the daylight of hope.
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This is a great poem/memory, for it speaks volumes about the consequences of human choice. What a gift it was for you see and hear a possible end result to your own life. When I am gifted with these glimpses I try in earnest to learn from them so that I can avoid the pitfalls the person telling the story could not. Each of us have enough challenges within our lives; therefore, I try not to allow my poor choices to contribute to my own or others misery. It is difficult for most of us to get through this life so why add to our challenges? I am finding that I am enjoying the candor of your work John, thank you! Blessings upon you good sir.
Tina
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Thank you Tina. After I lost two brothers to suicide. I sold and gave away everything in 1991. I joined a war and I roamed the USA back and fore a few times. I was a good listener and drinker. Old taverns allowed us to learn real life and good story. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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I am deeply sorry for your loss of your brothers. It is so heartbreaking. Your journey for peace is a daily struggle and I understand it. Your words bring inspiration to many and cause others to pause and think about what they “know” to be true. Peace upon you John.
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Thank you Tina.
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Divorced since 1984 and now 65, romance is definitely out of the picture and two out of three seems not too bad a life’s gift.
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Carl, its never too late for love. A couple was just on the news the other day, who were in their 80’s getting married for the first time. Love and romance are two separate ideas and it only depends on what you are looking for in love, good sir. Most folks fall in “lust” during their youth then find out what is really important many, many years later if they learn it at all. The two things mentioned are nothing to settle for and to me they are not even on the list of “must haves” in my lifetime. Never give up on love, even if it is only learning how to love yourself enough to believe you are worth being loved by another. Blessings upon you Sir.
Tina
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I agree Tina. 65 years old. A lot of chance is left to dance, sing and have some fun.
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Appreciate encouraging words. For now children and grandchildren fill the void comfortably and 90 year old father lives with me last dozen years and he’s a swell guy to pal around with and blog buddy friends are a delightful part of life too.
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Sir,
That is wonderful. Children and grandchildren definitely will occupy your hours and fill your heart with joy and challenges. It sounds as if you have a wonderful relationship with your father and that is a blessing. I wish you well sir and you have my prayers for a joy filled life! Blessings upon you.
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Sometime you are right. Two out of three is okay. 65 years old is still young. You will never know what you can find around the next corner or place.
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Wonderful lesson – dying alone is a fearful thought.
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It would be. We need a kind voice near. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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