Archive for the ‘courage’ Category
This Heart
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Image, Poetry, abstract, art, courage, introspection, joy, love, memories, optimism, rhyme, wisdom
This Heart
•
this heart’s now yours
this damaged heart
this brittle fractured aching heart
broken by you, every part
I’ve no use for this ruined heart
plucked here from my chest
I seek a new and vital heart
one that’s far less stressed
a fresh heart that’s unbreakable
a heart able to forgive
unmarred unscarred yet tender
beating with the joy to live
• • •
rob kistner © [...]
This Night
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Poetry, courage, dreams, love, memories, mystery, rhyme, tragedy
…as you read this Christmas poem, with its taste of bittersweetness, see it not in a dark light — but rather, embrace it as a tale of a long-awaited journey, to be with the one beloved…
digital collage entitled: “Christmas Tear” - by: rob kistner © 2011
This Night
•
brushed my shoulder on this morning’s train
then at the [...]
The Journey
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, courage, mystery, wisdom, wonder
The Journey
•
beckoned to the final tide
called forth by the ferryman
spirit stirs to the distant voice
that draws you to the journey
caught still in this mortal realm
soul resigned to embarkation
time folding in upon
as slow you approach the vessel
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
• linked at Magpie Tales
____________
image by Mostafa Habibi
Soul Food
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, art, courage, love, philosophy, wisdom
Something life’s experiences have taught me: seeing the world for what it is makes you smart, envisioning the world for what it can be - makes you wise…
Soul Food
•
there are countless contradictions
in the elements of the work we do
and conflictions as we strive
but bring these not to table
for I am you
and you are me
and we [...]
Two Moments
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Poetry, courage, family, gratitude, joy, love, memories, wisdom
These are two poems about two powerful and indelible life-moments I shared with my son Justin.
The first “Night Sky” is about the courageous moment he chose, at age fourteen, to leave his mother’s home to move across our country, to live with me in Oregon — through the years of his high school [...]
Wonder
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, beauty, courage, dreams, fantasy, gratitude, humor, joy, love, mystery, philosophy, whimsy, wisdom, wonder
Wonder
•
to grow up
is to chase off
our innocence
our naïve belief
in the world as a beautiful place
to harden against the magic
of our childhood dreams
but if by chance
we can cling to just one
perhaps we can hold on
to our precious sense of wonder
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
• photo: “Alice in Wonderland” by Yuki Valentine
Hope
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, courage, dark, family, horror, photo, regret, suspense, tragedy, wisdom
Hope
•
I lift myself quietly
very quietly
from beneath the sheets
soiled with neglect
soaked with my nightmares
I am again awake
from another dark night
that began with fear
fear I might not survive
and ends in sorrow
realizing I did
I rise
make my way carefully
past the shallow-breathed crumple
that lay milky-eyed
in a heap on the floor
un-moving
save a twitch of the head
a head which now harbors demons
where [...]
Images - a ten year vigil
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Poetry, courage, dark, dark drama, homage, horror, introspection, love, memories, photo, prayer, regret, tragedy, wisdom
…lest we ever forget
Images
•
images
unreal
unfathomable images
the graceful glide
engulfed by the spire
in a roar of golden orange
horribly beautiful
perversely mesmerizing
obscene
devastating images
torrents of humanity
raining down
desperation their only escape
masses of humanity
racing
to outrun the unbelievable
praying
to be delivered from the inconceivable
traumatic images
shrines of free commerce
consumed
by the unbearable weight
of their fragile significance
plummeting to earth
in a cloud of self-destruction
heartbreaking images
screaming
dazed
terrified souls
consumed
by the unbearable weight [...]
Bogged
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, courage, dreams, ecstatic, mystery, regret, wisdom, wonder
Bogged
•
that’s the thing about ruts
the longer we remain bogged
the harder it is to escape
•
stopping is no option
to lose the way
is to keep going
keep moving forward
lest one be rutted in uncertainty
rigid with the rigor of fear
bogged down in despair
paralyzed
stalled in hopelessness
the giving in
the giving up
caught in anguish
the rot that sets
with the loss of wonder
when grip lets [...]
Boldy Go
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Image, Poetry, courage, dreams, introspection, mystery, rhyme, wisdom, wonder
Boldly Go
•
the great wheel of time
turns ever slow and steadily
its ponderous mass unstoppable
it presses onward mightily
climbs the mortal mountain
bearing the weight of history
of ages and civilizations
borne then razed by its immensity
our lifetimes ride this wheel
how far is but a mystery
locked in fate ’round we go
rolling bold toward hidden destiny
frail temporal beings
of a most amazing bravery
we [...]
Sea Song
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Poetry, art, beauty, courage, dark, love, memories, mystery, nature, prayer, regret, tragedy
• this poem linked at Writer’s Island and One Single Impression
Sea Song
•
sad she comes
everyday
to these empty shores
on wings of memory
to serenade this sea
a song of longing
bowed on strings
of a broken heart
mournful for the one
lost to these silent fathoms
her tears
steady as the mists
relentless swept away
by these cold
indifferent waves
only they
know where her lover lies
so everyday she comes
taunted [...]
The Sync
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, art, collage, courage, dark, mystery, philosophy, wisdom, wonder
The Sync
•
connection
to make contact
searching for the sync
the heart of the matter
in this solitary journey
from womb to tomb
a stranger
on the bus of days
seeking distraction
chatting them up
to suppress
the voice of isolation
immersed in the small talk
of love
and accomplishment
to drown
the incessant murmur
of alienation
the chant of abandonment
ever there to remind
that we board alone
to make our way
toward an enigmatic destination
clinging
to a [...]
Fret Not
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, NaPoMo 2011, Poetry, courage, gratitude, homage, introspection, mystery, philosophy, wisdom, wonder
…written for Day #30, NaPoMo 2011…
Fret Not
•
people are consumed
by endings
speak of their finality
their permanence
their absoluteness
but I say no
in this age of recycling
repurposing
sequels
syndication
spin-offs
botox
rogaine
viagra
endings are not absolute
eventually inevitable
but in that
they are not so special
not unique
beginnings
these are unique
these are absolute
they only happen once
they are not inevitable
not guaranteed
they require a complex
independent
set of variables
to come together
perfectly timed
properly executed
and in that
they [...]
Unfazed
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, NaPoMo 2011, Poetry, beauty, courage, dark, homage, mystery, nature, photo, wisdom, wonder
This poem was sparked by the incredible power of our earth, as exhibited most recently by the devastating tornadoes that swept through the American Southeast, and with deep reverence and sympathy for those who suffered as a result. I admire greatly your courage and will to live.
…written for Day #29, NaPoMo 2011…
Unfazed
•
we live
by its [...]
Pierced
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, NaPoMo 2011, courage, humor noir, memories, rant
…a rant about my diabetes
written for Day #17, NaPoMo 2011…
Pierced
•
needles
hypodermic needles
needles needles needles
BD 30g
sterilized syringes
needles in my arms
needles in my legs
needles in my gut
needles six seven times a day
needles 3 am because
I forget the 11 pm needle
even tiny lances in my fingertips
to verify the needles needles work
needles so that I can see
needles so that I [...]
