~
stalks lie down in fields
arbors ache ‘neath harvest moon
fall is on the land
rob kistner © 2020
Fertile Moon
Category: Haiku
Seasons
~
Spring
(haiku)
~
wings flutter gently
spring breeze bends full flowered stems
meadow dance begins
~ ~ ~
Summer
(haiku)
~
green leaf on blue pond
turns in golden summer sun
red bird softly sings
~ ~ ~
Fall
(haiku)
~
stalks lie down in fields
arbors burst with ripened grape
fall is on the land
~ ~ ~
Winter
(haiku)
~
coarse lands cloaked in white
lakes bejeweled in crystal
winter’s dressing hand
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2007
_____________________
Panther
it was born of my contempt for the barbarous act of caging wild animals in a zoo •
this final edit inspired by prompt #24 at Writer’s Island,
prompt #23 at We Write Poems,
and prompt #74 at Carry on Tuesday.
•
from rippled sinew black as midnight
bores a stare of molten gold
a furious but calm inferno
searing deep to burn your soul
unyielding is this panther’s pace
held captive in this foolish zoo
cold eyes rivet snarled contempt
unfathomed pools of quiet rage
on this panther paces paces
turns and paces back he paces
graceful stride of brute resolve
presses on to test his bounds
proud this captive soul just paces
frustration turns anger retraces
this brutal prison of false environ
does not fool this mighty beast
observe how he continues pacing
instinct certain this is not home
his piercing gaze fixed well beyond
his suffered fate of cruel confine
see the panther pacing pacing
his nature steeled his spirit strong
relentless sorrow wild longing
drive on and on his constant stride
this will not break his fierce resolve
he tracks freedom he stalks life
imprisoned he will forever pace
and he will pace
and he will die
• • •
(haiku)
•
caged beast close your eyes
have no fear of letting go
dream of wild freedom
• • •
rob kistner © 2010
The Taste
This type of poem is known as a haibun, and combines prose with haiku. It is offered in response to the September 20th prompt at Big Tent Poetry.
The Taste
•
It was an embrace I’d wished had been endless, at our tearful farewell – your body supple and warm, pulsing with life.
lips lush as cognac
open softly to kisses
urgently linger
open softly to kisses
urgently linger
I passed through security, turned and fixed on your gaze – prayed it was not the last time I’d look into your eyes. I wandered dazed down the ramp, to the jet that would take me to the fury of hell. I locked your face of love deep in my heart.
That cherished image proved my grasp on sanity through two years of horror – through the sting of separation, the bitter taste of war, the foul stench of death.
I return this day, facing reality at 30,000 feet, the salt of sadness on my lips. I am ashamed, frightened to see and touch you again, but I burn to do so.
so different now
my hands angry with bloodshed
innocence is lost
my hands angry with bloodshed
innocence is lost
I fear a kiss from my killer’s mouth, will forever defile your precious lips – lush as sweet cognac, that day we parted.
• • •
rob kistner © 2010
NOTE: this piece is by no means a condemnation of the men and women who are sent into the teeth of hell to fight, suffer, and sometimes die. Rather, it is an expression of my deep respect for what they endure, and a quiet tear for what is so often sadly lost in so doing.
True Work
______________
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I had this incomplete 3-year-old draft of my poem “True Work” (loosely inspired by Gary Snyder’s “Real Work”). I had wanted, for some time, to edit it into a piece, with which I would be more satisfied. The above listed prompt inspired me to create a suite of poetry, threaded together by the phrase: true work. My focus for this suite being humanity, which was the crux of the “True Work” draft I already had. The digital rendering I created of the hand holding the world helped me finish my vision of this poetry suite.
I bend my back and squat
then straighten at the waist
hunkered ‘neath the weight
I lift clean the load
the warehouseman’s refrain
always on my mind
“back straight
lift with the legs”
the first test – no result
I try a second
then a third
on and on
day after day
long hours in the lab
the formula must be perfect
only perfect will save lives
drywall must be flush
and plumb
also square and seamless
meticulously
I set each sheet
with the level and the bob
then pause
to wipe my sweating brow
I curse the clay
do battle with fatigue
I coax my muse
to commit to form
the first draft of my vision
to then modify
and remold
until the ultimate creation
these are elements of the work I do
or did
or may yet do
and I am you
and you are me
and we are all together
in this endeavor of our daily life
but this is not our true work
to bend to lift someone in need
to help carry their burden
until they again stand steady
to seek the components of peace
to formulate the dialog
that fosters understanding
to measure well tolerance
to stand squarely flush
with truth and level justice
to visualize universal love
to create the enduring model
for a free and vital world
this — is our true work
so little done
so much to do
* * *
If Only
____
stressed beyond limits
earth’s fragile balance falters
but this can be changed
her future is in our hands
if only we do true work
* * *
Endeavor
____
abstain from false pride
prayer does not a halo make
that requires true work
____
rob kistner © 2010
* photorendering above entitled “In Our Hands”
by: rob kistner © 2010
Barren
•
no life without love
like a tree without blossoms
barren and fruitless
• • •
Always Options
•
that stretched beyond the road he’d trod
he would go forth this was his mind
but had no notion which way that was
the pathway left was sparse with step
the roadway right was traveled plenty
leaning low to great extreme
he examined close the evidence
it came clear that those who journeyed left
were light of weight with timid step
while those who traveled onward right
wore finest boot of heavy heel
he thought on this for quite some time
until at last he knew for sure
he started neither left nor right
but instead went straight ahead
he hacked and carved and blazed a trail
into the new for those who’d follow
wise in life possessed of logic
he realized to where he’d come
the threshold of a new frontier
too raw for the sated too brute for the weak
those that would survive and prosper
would be among the enlightened bold
it would be those who’d choose this trail
full of promise made by his hand
with spirit full and muscled zest
he whacked and chopped and cleared the way
for those who’d come who were empowered
to seize possibility — a bright new world
• • •
(haiku)
•
trail forked this spring morne
white-tails chose the woods instead
always more options
• • •
rob kistner © 2010
Extinction’s Shadow
and strongly influenced by prompt #7 at We Write Poems…
•
smothered by big oil
our blue planet is dying
greed’s shadow falls hard
•
future is mortgaged
to petrochemical lust
fatal addiction
•
mankind is drowning
in a flood of fossil fuel
black tide of folly
• • •
rob kistner © 2010
by: rob kistner © 2008
NaPoWriMo #12 – Look Poet / Croissants
• one free verse poem
• one haiku
____________________________________
•
poet
do not weave
your fabric of myth
or speak to us in grand verse
telling of the song
of the spheres
or the days
before this dark time
help us see
the real place of light
hear the clear voice of truth
know the pure heart of justice
look poet
look at the terrible suffering
tell us where that is birthed
tell us how to see
with our own eyes
so that we might reach in
and tear out the pain
uproot the sorrow
crush the evil
you see many things poet
but you talk in riddles
you avoid the cold
and the hard way
for the soft path
of platitudes
and metaphors
of meter and rhyme
but this is not the time
look poet
look into the fire
feel it burn your eyes
char your soul
tell us how that feels
let us hear you scream
rally us
set us ablaze
lift your pen
like a sword
and strike down
the imbalance
show us the grip
and we will join the battle
but you must tell us
poet
tell us what is real
in the power
that is plain language
we will listen
• • •
•
fragrance of baked dough
aroma of warm butter
croissants tasty hot
• • •
poem and haiku by: rob kistner © 2010
NaPoWriMo #11 – Play Ball!
• one free verse poem
• one haiku
____________________________________
•
it is this time every year
perhaps coaxed by the warming breezes of spring
that a flood of recall is unleashed
smell of leather oiled in neatsfoot
clatter of wooden bats in a canvass bag
rattle of metal spikes on concrete
snug feel of the ballglove
tuggin’ on the cap
rollin’ the bill just right
smoothness of the cowhide sphere
grip on raised seams
click and clack of the catcher’s gear
cheers, jeers and sometimes tears
right foot on the rubber
excitement of taking signs
leg coiled for delivery
the hey batter batter
pop of the ball in the pocket
anticipation of an onrushing grounder
launching the throw across the diamond
shielding my eyes in a high sky
relief of snagging one in the webbing
feel of polished hardwood
crack of the sweet spot
exhilaration of connecting solidly
breaking down to first
taking a good lead off
soft slide into the base
the thrill of swiping second
the joy of crossing home
my teammates in a dog pile
sweet sweet exhaustion
knowing I left it all on the field
your arm around my shoulder
the pride in your eyes
root beer at the soda fountain
with the team after the game
riding home on the tailgate
of our old Edsel wagon
it is every year
at this time
that I think of all of this
that I think of you
how you wanted me to try pro
how the scout felt I had the arm
it is the path I didn’t take
you never made me feel sorry
thank you for these memories
thank you for your love
• • •
•
chalk lines laid on dirt
crack of white ash on cowhide
son’s smile is a joy
• • •
poem and haiku by: rob kistner © 2010
NaPoWriMo #10 – Woodpeckers / Hiking
• one free verse poem
• one haiku
____________________________________
•
the two red crests are busy
hammering away
peck peck peck
big chucks of the dead pulp
flying in all directions
the elusive couple has come
down into the yard
from the climbs
of the old-growth forest
that surrounds our home
to get their fill
of early-season insects
comfortable as two dancers
they circle each other
bobbing and weaving
on the old Douglas stump
peck peck peck
beautiful in black
bold scarlet topknots
vivid white to frame the faces
majestic in their size
and mystery
these life-mates
rule our woods
often heard
peck peck peck
seldom seen
save a passing glance
of red and wing
but here they are
resplendent in the Oregon sun
emboldened by mating season
and the spring bounty
they flit occasionally
in turn
to the nearby red cedar
centuries old
live and looming
but they return to the stump
peck peck peck
preferring the delicacies
in the decaying remains
with his crimson cap
and wings white on black
has joined them
in this supper hour
but he swings
and pecks quietly on the suet
dangling from the eaves
having been ushered indiscreetly
from the Pileated’s banquet
a gorgeous Northern Flicker
speckled and curious
observes at a distance
from the forest canopy
not partaking in this evening’s feast
and amazed
captivated by the glory of nature
being celebrated
just beyond our bedroom window
we join the celebration
grateful for the privilege
humbled by this spectacle
hopeful for our planet
• • •
•
each crest a new thrill
each fresh turn an adventure
hiking the forest
• • •
poem and haiku by: rob kistner © 2010
NaPoWriMo #9 – Jazzzzz
• one free verse poem
• one haiku
____________________________________
…this piece was written in keeping with the spirit of a prompt by Robert Peake, over at read write poem…
•
torchin’
in the zone
lighting chops
flamin’ righteous
primo riffin’
smokin’ sacred
glorified ‘n sanctified
fused bruised and overused
the big axe jumped
pumped
and thunder thumped
lubed ‘n locked âN lugnut crazy
scene was pure
to the fringe
slammin’
jammin’
come to jesus
skins was raucous
reeds was rippin’ trippin- sanity slippin’
blood ‘n bone on broken tusk
brass ‘and n balls to the bell-tone edge
soul elation
elevation
riot smooooooth
‘n devastation
upright
‘n bottom tight
we brought down the house
this velvet night
• • •
•
first notes soar skyward
stars shine in the clear night air
jazzin’ has begun
• • •
poem and haiku by: rob kistner © 2010
____________________________________
NaPoWriMo #7 – Free / Ready to Roll / Old School
• one free verse poem
• one haiku
• one onomatopoeia
• one noxious fume
____________________________________
•
fueled by the freedom of the open road
we race our way into the sunset
leaning tightly into curves
wind whipping our hair
our knees tucked
heads down
we rocket
thriving on the thrill of the throttle
embracing the magnificence
living in the moment
not counting time
or keeping track
just being
free
• • •
•
engine oil changed
grips cleaned tire pressure checked
spring’s highway beckons
• • •
•
(onomatopoeia)
kick down — kick down — kick down
rest
kick down — kick down
rrrroarrr
rev rev rev rev
• • •
poem, haiku, and onomatopoeia verse by: rob kistner © 2010
Phew
•
who knew lovemaking would end
with my lover breaking wind
oh god did that foul stench offend
we’ll not soon make sweet love again
here’s one thing that I’ll be hope’n
if we do the windows open
no refried beans next time we’re flirty
‘cause on a scale of ten that fart’s a thirty
(in tanka form)
our loving did end
when my sweet lover broke wind
a stench to offend
no beans next time we’re flirty
ten scale – that fart’s a thirty
NaPoWriMo #6 – The Cast / The Rise
Rhiannon had suggested in the day 6 NaPoWriMo prompt at Read Write Poem that we sort through a collection of our pictures as inspiration for this day’s poem. Although I veered a bit from her precise suggestion, the process of sorting brought me to the pictures I have of my fishing adventures, and that inspired this — so thanks Rhiannon!
• one free verse poem
• one haiku
____________________________________
•
cliff-climbing conifers
stir in the brisk dawn
as breezes swoop the gorge
rustle my jacket
nip my cheeks
across the casual rapids
near the stony shore
rainbows surface in slack water
hungrily gulping morning hatch
my most recent offering undulates past
in the glinting chatter of spring flow
unacknowledged
chuckling
I turn
elbow steady
I begin to rotate my lengthy bamboo
behind to two PM.
silently stripping the slender thread
from current’s surface
leaving a razor crease
disappearing quick as it comes
the lacquered rod bends forward as I lift
then slowly flexes back
the line arcs behind in flight
trailing silvery spray
backward pressure builds
as line nears full unfurling
but just before
a smooth return
slowly brings the shaft
again to ten AM
now
I feel the forward pull of the soaring mass
as overhead the line recoils
midair
the glass-green fiber
rolls out ahead
over azure ripples
the singing strand painting an “Sâ€
in the cloudless sky
quick
smooth
and quiet
the line is re-wed to stream
the feathered morsel at the tip
offered yet again
coaxing a ready trout
to rise
and strike
• • •
•
fly reel freshly oiled
new tippets cut and tied firm
spring trout on the rise
• • •
poem and haiku by: rob kistner © 2010
____________________________________
NaPoWriMo #5 – Kathleen / Blossoms
• one free verse poem
• one haiku
____________________________________
•
he has kept it locked for so long
none can pass
his grief makes certain none will try
this is a dark forbidden place
high-walled
cold and barren
unyielding
lifeless
brutal night has fallen
no sun can penetrate
the darkness soothes him
he retreats into its depths
hiding
shielded from any further pain
but see
a shadow falls across the threshold
someone approaches
a comely being
warm and alive
lays gentle siege
threatening to breach his hardened fortress
but this lovely creature
fair and fragile
can not possibly gain entrance
must not
he will resist
this is wrong
this is trespass
this is cruel betrayal of his lost beloved
he has no right to leave this place of sorrow
no right
but his stronghold is succumbing
falling to this delicate advance
he is vulnerable
terrified
but it is useless to resist
searching with a patient heart
she has found the key
grasped in her loving hand
fingers tenderly enfold it
gently
she slides it into the lock
turning with great care
he is defenseless
he feels his heart slowly open
the long forgotten stir of love
begins to warm his soul
• • •
•
sweet pink blossoms fall
red spring buds will take their place
soon will be cherries
• • •
poem and haiku by: rob kistner © 2010
base image by: Getty Images
• photorendering entitled “Blossoms” – by rob kistner © 2010
base image by: Harold Davis
____________________________________