A New York City night..
Was a New York city dark winter night.
The cold of Winter made the strangers gathered in the taverns.
I sat alone at the bar, writing into my journal.
A pretty pale woman sat near me, almost touching my shoulder.
I turned and I saw the blackest hair and darkest brown I ever seen.
She ordered two Irish whiskeys and a cold draft beer.
I left her be.
The beer and the whiskey came.
She tapped my shoulder and I saw she wore a necklace of dead animals,
and she wore a tight dark black dress.
She asked me. Why is a soldier alone in the New York city?
Can be dangerous, bad people roam the taverns looking for a prey.
I laughed at her words and I told her. Us Michigan boys are brave.
Maybe we like to be hunted? She told me my name is Lisa and
I want to buy a soldier a whiskey. She pushes one of the whiskey toward me.
I told her, my name is Johnnie and I appreciate the whiskey.
She touched my glass and she told the night. To my good friend, Sami.
I miss you. I drank the whiskey and I ordered two more.
Her eyes were heavy with sadness and I asked her.
Are you alright?
She told me. I am not. Good friend killed himself yesterday and now.
I am trying to understand. You remind me of him.
I saw soft tears falling from her eyes and I hugged her.
She leaned into me, held me tightly.
I told her. It is good to release tears, we must mourn.
She released me and she asked me.
Would you go to the funeral with me?
I have few friends and I lost my best friend.
I told her. I must find a place to park my truck and I have three days off.
I can go with you, if you desire.
She gave me a fake smile and she told me.
I have a place for your truck Johnnie.
And thank you.
We drank more whiskey and she told me about her friend Sami.
I knew her sadness. I had two brothers who committed suicide.
Took a war and me. Escaping home and trying to find safe place.
We left the tavern and we drove to her apartment.
I parked my truck and we walked together to her apartment.
She was very beautiful, tall, strong legs and the softest voice.
Her apartment was wonderful.
No TV and books on many shelfs.
I told her. The couch will be good and I will buy you breakfast in the morning.
She laughed at me and she told me. A gentleman soldier. Thank you.
She brought blankets and a pillow to me.
I fell asleep quickly and late in the midnight hours.
I felt soft kisses on my face and she whispered to me.
Please Johnnie, join me in my bed.
I need to feel safe, I need to be held.
I went with her and I held her like a child in the softness of soft sheets and blankets.
I caressed her face and I told her.
Dear Lisa, you will overcome this.
Life isn’t easy.
I awoke alone and I heard Lisa calling my name.
Johnnie. Please get-up, I am hungry.
I found her standing in panties and bra making eggs and bacon.
I told her. You are the beautiful thing, I have seen in many years.
She laughed at my words and she told me.
Thank you for last night and today.
I will show you the New York city.
She was fearless and shameless.
I have adored the Goth gals always and when I was young.
I dated one. She taught me to make love at noon,
she taught me to stay naked in my home.
She told me. I liked you because I saw the sadness in your eyes.
You were not seeking anything last night. I like men,
who don’t demand attention. How long are staying at Fort Dix?
I told her. I am waiting for orders. I was assigned to a reserve unit in the war.
I don’t know? the Army does nothing quickly.
She smiled and she told me. I hope you stay awhile. I need a friend.
I told her. I will return every Friday, if you need me?
She came to me. She wrapped her arms around me and she whispered.
I need the poet soldier. I loved your poetry. I read your journal and I am sorry Johnnie.
You carry heavy weight and you are kind to me.
I told her. We need some mercy. All of us need mercy.
We ate in silence and her eyes soften.
After we washed the dishes, she took my hands.
Kissed them and she whispered.
I want us to get naked and for us.
To hold on tightly.
We wandered to her bedroom and I asked her.
Beautiful Lisa, can we find joy swimming in sadness.
She whispered. Sometime we need skin to skin.
sometimes we need to feel hands upon our body.
Sometimes we need to feel someone inside us.
Even a lie, is better than crying alone.
I undressed and she undressed.
I held her like my first love and I told her.
Dear Lisa. Are you Okay?
Coyote