Being
•
every second
of every minute
of every hour
of every day
of every week
of every month
of every year
of every decade
of every human life
to have ever been
now is being
or will be
lived
this
is the vast
ever-expanding
human experience
how wondrous
is our brief
moment
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
…find links to some fine writing at “readwritepoem”
• NOTE: To insure quality, this video poem is presented as a QuickTime Movie™.
• To play, please CLICK the start arrow at the left in the bar on bottom of image.
Ghost of Love
•
(In loving memory of my son, Aaron Robert Kistner)
in the tears of this turbulent night
you come
as a breeze
stirring through my open window
a plaintive zephyr
yet sweet
you come
as a faint sound in the darkness
an easy laugh
rich voice
a song
you come
as a comforting thought
kindness
strength
a gentle way
you come
as a remembered presence
warm smile
clear eyes
peaceful eyes
full of wonder
the beauty of youth
you come
as a moment recalled
that precious last time
we stood embracing
this night
you come as a ghost of love
a specter of my longing heart
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
This Journey
•
this pilgrim’s lot
is cast to wander
in search of what
is not clear known
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
one sees far too late
it is this journey
that is the treasure
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
…a musician’s tale told in multi-era players’ lingo…
The Gig
•
man we was cookin’
we maxed the zone
the gig
was flamin’ righteous
I was on my chops
hammered primo riffs
my fender
was really smokin’
our upright dude
laid down cool bottom
his big axe
thumped with thunder
the scene was jake
we was jammin’ smooth
our stick man
rocked his traps
we kicked our tunes
brought down the house
the night
was true far out
the leg were fox
freak, we were stoked
to my pad
we all were trukin’
but first château blanc
to down some slyders
sweet midnight
belly bombs
next the pony keg
to cop some kingers
to set
a mellow buzz
then down the rabbit hole
full blown away
to wrap
this trip pure golden
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
…following is the English interpretation
The Performance
we were playing quite good
one of our best performances ever
I personally was playing my guitar exceptionally well
technically and creatively
our bass guitar player was playing deep and strong
everybody present was having a great time
our drummer was playing his very best
every song sounded very good
the crowd reacted with tremendous applause
the women in attendance were beautiful
we all were able to secure dates and were going to my house
but first we went to White Castleâ„¢ restaurant
(a hamburger chain found throughout Midwestern USA)
for some hamburgers
then we stopped at a convenience store
to purchase some Schoenling Little Kings Cream Ale
(beer that comes in short 7oz. green bottles)
and had a wildly exciting party
that lasted until sunrise
• • •
…poem inspired by read write poem #61, found at “readwritepoem”
Unfaithful
•
why lust
do you entwine my heart
to wrap your burning hands
‘round honor’s throat
to smother frail fidelity
and render lifeless
in fatal forfeit
my loving soul
to offer only
this empty tryst
and shame
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
Killer
•
…put two bullets in his brain
I shot him twice
at close range
to witness
the power of life
crossing over
and
to feel him die…
cool precision
in a quite rage
sacred act
of raw release
purity of instinct
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
•
NOTE: The poem above was written in response to the prompt, “The Other Side” — posted by the Totally Optional Prompt writing prompt blog. We were asked to write a poem from the point of view of a bad person. It could be someone from history, legend, or fiction; it could be someone who’s alive and making headlines. Regardless, someone whose acts you consider criminal or reprehensible.
*The man and his actions, as depicted in this poem, are totally fictional — and purely evil.
The Knoll
•
on a distant knoll
in a sun-drizzled mist
we will again stand together
and you will tell me
of the wonders
you’ve discovered
here
in this realm
of evermore
• • •
rob kistner © 2008
•
breathtaking photo: “Predawn East Bay Hills” © Gary Pope
Lost To Me
•
when you could
no longer
look
into my eyes
I knew
you were lost to me
when you could
no longer
hold
my longing gaze
I knew
you were lost to me
when you could
no longer
softly speak
my name
I knew
you were lost to me
when you could
no longer
smile
at my tender touch
warm
to my embrace
rest your head
upon my shoulder
nor
whisper
of your love
I knew then
for certain
you
were lost to me
never again
will I
soar
above the clouds
circle
‘round the sun
dance
among the stars
fold
with you
in the crescent
of the waning moon
never again
will I
drink deeply
from passion’s fount
nor
taste
a lover’s lips
you
are lost to me
forever
lost to me
• • •
rob kistner © 2008
The Flame
•
the pitch black
of ignorance
succumbs
to a single
flame of knowledge
• • •
rob kistner © 2008
…here are three winter tales of beauty and love
Midnight Snowfall
____
in moonlit forest
midnight’s snowfall shimmers
through the boughs
of old growth
deep and still
as if spread by star clusters
it blankets
our high-mountain meadow
in crystal down
this night
fell quiet and crisp
a great white owl
echoes
through frosted cedar
lover and beloved
we entwine
‘neath winter’s window
with dreams
and one another
we sleep
in gentle slumber
we traverse
time
and space
adrift
in random wonder
we breathe
the ebb and flow
of nocturne
but I’ve awakened
in a winter
long ago
you
by firelight
warm and soft
in my arms
the night
that first we kissed
____
rob kistner © 2008
____________________________
Winter
(haiku)
____
coarse lands cloaked in white
lakes bejeweled in crystal
winter’s dressing hand
____
rob kistner © 2008
____________________________
December Memories
____
cold cheeks pressed in soft embrace
nestled warm in sweater’s plush
full hearts brim in fond delight
drawn close in loving gather
room awash in gentle glow
heady scent of fresh-cut noble
standing tall this winter night
resplendent in its cloak of yule
tender lilt of celtic song
sweet fragrances of promised treats
the pleasing snap of kindled log
spirits soothed by season’s hearth
ribbon’d papers flash multi-hues
gifts bestowed one at a time
each in turn a treasured moment
joyous laughter shared by all
round and round the kindred circle
we celebrate unveiled affection
nurtured by each act of love
precious times with family
____
rob kistner © 2008
____________________________
photo at top entitled: “Moonlit Snow”
collage above: “Winter Night Journey”
…the following is an excerpt from a science fiction novel I’m writing
• • •
Through Time & Space
•
“I have watched
golden fire clouds,
hanging in pale green skies,
over the azure seas of Tolurasâ€
“I have seen the copper leaves
of the parmus fronds
flashing from indigo mountains
in the crystal mists of Gemin.â€
“I have beheld exquisite beauty
in my rich, full life
but none so beautiful
as your eyes tonightâ€
Artheo whispers these bewitching words, his breath warm on the tender lobe of my ear. Searching the depth of my eyes, plumbing my very soul, he presses his lips softly to mine, and with gentle passion — bids me farewell with a kiss.
The exchange of poetry, at times of high emotion, is a longstanding tradition on our planet – and my lover’s words were especially moving as we parted tonight.
This intimate moment now three hours past; I linger in the bittersweetness, still tasting his lips, smelling his hair, feeling the heat of his body – I ache for him.
But here I stand on the aft deck of the Thadius, hurtling through space, gazing into star-clustered blackness, cherishing the pleasures of our parting embrace.
A sudden chill shocks me sober. I’ve been here, done this, precisely this in every detail. But I know that is not possible. It is my first time aboard this particular ship.
I am gripped by foreboding. I shiver as I watch the sapphire-jade orb that holds my fascination, grow smaller, being slowly swallowed by the eternal night of space. It continues to recede, its form becoming softer, less clearly defined in the carbon-composite observation bubble, as zero-g frost clouds and obscures this breathtaking view of this lush planet, our home planet – Gemin.
Some now on board will not again see this precious sight for fifteen years, if they are counted among the fortunate who do return.
We race, exceeding light-squared, toward a distant call for help, an unknown destiny, in the far reaches of uncharted space — with no idea what we will encounter. The call made it certain that no good lay ahead for those aboard who now rush to respond to the enigmatic distress signal.
I am Sephias, on an ecological research mission, to return home in a year’s time. My team and I disembark at Topiarus, the first stop on this voyage.
Although I am off-ship before we reach the origin of the urgent summons — I am nonetheless distraught. It is the anxiety of separation. It is also the result of the intense stress that permeates the crew who are going the distance, to the edge of space, to answer the cry for help. The pressure is palpable, contagious — I feel it to my core. It terrifies me.
Continue reading Through Time & Space
____
a clearing
of filtered sunlight
high breezes whisper
nature murmurs
serenely
a downed Douglas slumbers
snug in the moist embrace
of a moss blanket
a heady pleasance
life is aligned
for a moment
____
rob kistner © 2008
Stranger
____
this day
as I journey
I come upon a stranger
standing by the road
looking sad
heavy box
held in his arms
clutched close to his breast
he stares
expressionless
into my eyes
his gaze stops me still
fixes me in place
his face is tired
and drawn
etched in withered worry
when at last I move
I draw near
as I do
close enough to see
this sullen man
is me
he offers out his hands
that open on the box
he beckons me retrieve
this container he protects
filled with apprehension
I reach
and grasp the case
lift it cautiously from his grip
lay it gently at my feet
it opens
as I do
slowly
to reveal
its haunting
strange contents
seven broken hearts
mute with wonder
I behold
confused
yet riveted
I ponder
as I do
then inquire of the meaning
these are yours
I am told
created by your deeds
cruelly left behind
as you ventured on
once
they each belonged
to one who trusted you
each trust you did betray
without a second thought
each love you tossed aside
abandoned carelessly
now the burden of this box
is mine beyond the grave
it was on a road like this
that it was passed to me
I have carried it too long
I am weary from the load
now you must bend and lift
and clutch it to your breast
to struggle with its weight
until you pass it on
someday
a stranger will approach
over that horizon
he will stop
and stare
transfixed by your presence
you will charge him with this chest
then he will lift
and carry
as I do
in a cycle of forever
for he too
will be you
____
rob kistner © 2008
_____________________
collage above entitled: “Heavy Box” — by: rob kistner © 2008
Tears of the Ancients
•
the bones
of nature’s rivers
borne away
on strands
stained
with the ghosts
of salmon
• • •
rob kistner © 2008
_____________________
photo above entitled: “Drawing Lines in the Sky” — by: Martin Kingsley
• • •
…inspired by the hydro-electric dams choking the mighty Pacific Northwest rivers
and by read write image #3, found at “readwritepoem”.