Haunting Lessons Poem by norman hale

As I sat down at the bar
I saw an old man, head bowed low
I asked ' old man are you alright?
Is there someplace you need to go? '

And that's when he said 'son
You wouldn't believe my life!
I've been through two wars,
And a half a dozen of wives'

'Yes, I have some medals
They claimed that I achieved
But son, I could tell you stories
That would be very hard to believe! '

Then he patted me on the shoulder
And said 'You know, I was gonna be a doc!
When I first got called off to fight
When I first had to shoot someone, I was in shock! '

He said 'You know my first wife was pretty
But left me, when I got called off to war
And the second one was so hateful
That I just couldn't take her anymore'

He said 'I've been all over son!
And I've seen a lot in my old life!
Just traveling from hee to there
Always pickin up or losin another wife!

Love has its twists and turns, boy
So watch what road you take
Try and take that road to Heaven
Or you'll end up in a firey lake

Now I'm not tryin to be a know-it-all
Just tryin to tell you what I know
To maybe help you along your way, boy
As down life's road you may go

You have to work hard for what you want
Or you'll have nothing in the end
Always stay honest and true to yourself, son
Or you will find you'll have no friend

The answers ain't in this here bottle, son
It's you're life, you have to live
If you ever want something in return, son
The first place you have to do is give!

Now just let me bow my head a bit
And drink on this here beer
As I think of my good ol memories
Without sheading a single tear! '

I turned to walk back out of there
But then spun around, I must have looked like a fool
For there on the bar was half a beer
But, to my surprise there was an empty stool


wrote 9/6/2008 by Norman Hale Jr.