What is right, what is wrong? Dear Jennifer..
I arrived in Clinton, Michigan around twelve pm. I haven’t seen Jennifer since April 1987. The year 1991 is almost over and I wondered. Is three strikes, you are out. Can be true? I will learn soon.
She lived in a small apartment complex and I went to her door. I knocked softly and she opened the door. She stood with kind eyes upon me in a long t-sheet. Allowing me to see her long beautiful legs. Her hair still ginger-red and her smile. The prettiest thing, I ever seen. She told me. Johnnie, mighty cold outside. Please come in.
I walked into her home and she embraced me. She kissed my forehead and my lips. She took me to her love seat and she put her long legs across me and she told me. Please Johnnie, tell me of your adventures. I have a baby girl name Tiffany and I go to school. I am on break till early January. I was almost married. I loved him and he didn’t love me, but I have a beautiful two year baby. I am sorry Johnnie. I did the same to you once.
I caressed her legs, I caressed her feet and I told her. Love is never fair. Love need two people in the same place, wanting the same things. Rarely can happen dear Jennifer and you are more beautiful than when you came to me in the Winter 1987. She laughed at my words and she asked me. Did you find your answers in war, did you find your peace of mind? I told her. I learn life is more than us. We must enjoy every new day. Find something to make you smile. This was a easy war dear Jennifer.
She looked sad and she whispered. I don’t know Johnnie. Maybe we suppose to become colder and accept less? I told her. I remember you. You designed your own dresses and you were so damn brave. You wanted to feel everything. That is okay dear Jennifer. In our youth, we love gin, sin and the dance of the flesh. She turned around and I held her tightly. I kissed her neck and her ear. I sang to her.
“I have sweet dreams to remember. I have sweet dreams to take me you. You are the prettiest flower in the field and I adore you when you are sassy, I adore you when you loud and I adore you when you are wild. My pretty flower, let’s make no promises and allow me to steal a million kisses. Sometime love is so sweet, sometimes love so damn dangerous. I want to be drunk in love with you, again.”
She laughed at song and she whispered. It is late, almost 4 am, we been talking since 1am and baby Tiffany will want my attention in the morning. Do you want to stay or go? I do need a friend to hold me tightly. Johnnie, I believe I am colder and older. If you leave. I would understand.
I kissed her neck and I told her. I would like to stay, if you want me to. She took me to her bedroom, took off her t-shirt and she waiting for me under the warm blanket. I took off my clothing to my boxing shorts and I joined her in the warm bed. She kissed me for few minutes and I held her tightly. She asked me. Are we foolish or are we brave? I told her both. I caressed her face softly and with a quiet voice. I whispered to her.
“Drink till you cannot, love till you cannot and dance till the songs can’t be heard no-more. A jolly man sings to the moon. He sings a song of kisses from pretty ladies and the sea.”
She fell asleep and I knew. Some wishes cannot come true. Jennifer was dandelion wish, a lady of the even-song of the dead poets.
Coyote
I awoke alone in the bed. I heard Jennifer and her baby in the shower. She left the bathroom door open and I sat on the love seat. I saw her come out of the shower. She was a tall woman, five foot ten inches in height and she owned a woman body now. She turned and she saw me. She smiled, standing nude and she dressed Tiffany.
I wrote to my journal.
“Lovely is, lovely does.
A mother love, a blessing.
A kiss given by a kind woman. A blessing.
Ivory skin lady with a smile of gold.
She will steal your heart forever.
A nude woman, a kind gift to a lucky man.
Life is the time we know.
The time we appreciate.
Love near, a honor and a blessing.”
I heard her voice and she asked. Some poetry for me or a wild gal elsewhere? She had a towel wrapped around tightly and I brought her close. I told her as I kissed her hands. A poem for the most beautiful gal in my world. She laughed as Tiffany came to me. She asked. Who are you? I told her. Just Johnnie. She smiled and she asked her mother. Is “Just” a name? We all laughed. Jennifer put Tiffany in her play area and I followed her to the bedroom. She told me. Get dress quickly, I will buy you lunch today and you will meet my father. She dropped her towel and I brought her close. I kissed her stomach, caressed her long legs. I told her. Thank you dear Jennifer. You are too kind to me. She smiled and she held me tightly. I have you for 27 days and I want them to be wonderful. You are my December wish. I pray for someone to make me smile and laugh Johnnie. You do.
I told her. Okay dear Jennifer and I knew. All things happen for a reason. Maybe my dandelion wish came true and I watched Jennifer get dress. I sat with Tiffany building large legos into a castle. She was a happy and smart little girl. I felt Jennifer watching from the distance. I turned and I saw more sadness than happiness.
I went to her. I told her. Dear Jennifer, I am smarter and wiser now. I know you are a young woman now with a handful of problems. If you need money. I have a lot of money. In war. No place to spend your money. I promise not to be a burden. She told me, thank you dear Johnnie. I have enough money and you are not a burden. Jennifer smiled and she told me. I need my war-paint now. Go sit down and help yourself to the coffee in the kitchen.
I got the coffee and I wrote to my journal.
“Love is just a rose, will live, will die and the rose will rebirth in the Spring.
We will know the mockingbird song and we will know the sound of silence.
Old souls know. Love is sweet, kindness is better.
Patience in love, knows great rewards.
Maybe a place in a pretty woman heart.”
I feel a gentle touch and I looked into Jennifer hazel eyes. She smiled and tells me. Sleepy head. Time to begin a new day.
Coyote