Remembering Aaron today
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under courage, family, love
“you’re forever on my mind”
Finish Line
•
(In loving memory of my son, Aaron Kistner: 11/4/76 - 7/3/95)
It is my favorite picture of you son,
the one I treasure most
since your passing.
A simple snapshot,
taken at the airport,
upon your return
from having run the New York City Marathon.
A gentle, triumphant smile,
eyes beaming behind those ‘cool’ shades,
jacket sleeves rolled in casual hip-ness,
bag thrown carefree over your shoulder,
medal dangling proudly from your strong neck.
The victor: gentle, cool, hip, carefree, proud, and strong,
– fiercely handsome!
How profound this captured moment proved to be.
Taken just before the finish line of your 18 years,
it said it all.
Your race is run,
your bag is packed,
your reward’s in hand.
Fly my sweet angel - fly!
• • •
rob kistner © 7/3/05
_____________________
Aaron Robert Kistner, 18th birthday, returning from NYC Marathon
Shortly before he was killed
photo edited by: rob kistner © 2008
_____________________
• • •
Terminal Writer’s Block
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under rant
I am ensnared in the throws of writer’s block like I’ve never experienced. I’m impatient, deeply frustrated, and hopelessly distracted by life’s struggles — including a most unwelcome bout of severe neck & back pain. I stare grimacing into the eyes of my mortality.
I got the gris gris gumbo ya ya’s
Be back in June…
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Announcement
After an intense period of writing during April, National Poetry Month 2009, I’ve taken a hiatus - which included the celebration of my 20th year of marriage to my wonderful wife, Kathleen. This period was also touched by deep sadness. I will return sometime in June to begin posting some of my new writing. Thank you for visiting today, and please return. I hope you are able to find something for yourself here at Image & Verse.
A Poet’s Journey
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, NaPoMo 2009, Poetry, art, courage, dark drama, homage, mystery, suspense, tragedy, wisdom
NaPoMo poem #30
This is the thirtieth and the final of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.
As this poem marks the end of my poetic journey through National Poetry Month 2009, I’ve decided to do a rewrite of a poem, the first draft of which I wrote many years ago, and which I’ve edited and rewritten a number of times. I dedicate this to all poets who have been on this NaPoMo ‘09 journey.
• NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.
A Poet’s Journey
•
this poet’s lot
is cast to wander
in search of life’s
splendid unknown
step by step
day after day
uncertain fate unfolds
this journey
filled with wonder
joy
and awe
fraught with sadness
pain
and tears
it’s carried me
‘cross boundaries
borders
mass of lands
‘cross time and space
it’s shown me mysteries
marvels
magic
good & evil
the best
the least
it’s brought me pleasures
fame and fortune
to claim them back
with no remorse
I’ve known satisfaction
adulation
a woman’s love
a child’s passing
it’s been true and faithful
genuine
to turn away
and break my heart
it’s been fact
fiction
and contradiction
fantasy
and harshly real
I’ve been ignored
I’ve been betrayed
honored
as a man of standing
then left behind
to cry alone
I’ve traveled light
traveled fast
stumbled burdened
weighed with grief
I’ve lead and followed
lost my way
regained direction
to lose belief
I’ve walked hand in hand
with fear
and death
stared down depression
to be consumed
then arose again
to venture forth
without a clue my destination
with no regard the fated outcome
nor consideration of my plight
long ago I abandoned worry
having learned it’s of no use
I’ve realized
despite our difference
at the core
we’re all the same
this realm we entered all alone
and here we’ll leave alone again
but all of this is of no matter
foolish so to dwell upon
of no concern
of no regard
most certainly not worth the measure
in reflection
this poet’s learned
it is this journey
that is the treasure
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
___________________________
• you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem
So Many Gifts
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, NaPoMo 2009, Poetry, courage, humor noir, mystery, satire, wisdom
NaPoMo poem #29
This is the twenty ninth and the penultimate of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.
This poem is a tongue-in-cheek, but well intentioned look at life’s many gifts, inspired by prompt #29 at read write poem.
• NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.
So Many Gifts
•
we were granted
many gifts
when we arrived
here in this life
perhaps the most precious
is the gift of family
to endure
the gift of family
and any other calamity
we were bestowed
the gift of courage
the gift of patience
is a part of this
now when we require
more reinforcement
we have the useful
gift of friends
should all these gifts
prove just too much
there is the gift
of nature’s beauty
if we overdose
on all things tranquil
the fallback gift
is our creative spark
to prevent this gift
from being wasted
we have literature
music and art
and to preserve
dark karmic balance
we’ve been blessed
with the critique clique
finally we come
to this the greatest
of all the gifts
that we possess
and that gift being
the gift of love
though we enjoy
all of these gifts
life still can be
quite tough at times
but don’t despair
no
don’t lose hope
some secret gifts
have we been granted
to give us strength
and keep us going
the first of these
our sense of wonder
and hand in hand
our sense of awe
and should all else falter
there is the failsafe
the secret weapon
our sense of humor
but please take heed
keep careful watch
if you lose this latter
my friend
you’re screwed
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
___________________________
• you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem
