~ www.dementiasociety.org ~
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Sunset Path” by: rob kistner © 3/28/24
This morning’s sun came crisp and bright
enfolded my waking in wonderful warmth
and vivid presence
the world was fresh and fascinating
I embarked toward noonday
the joy of discovery palpable
senses saturated and alive
blissfully consumed
a deep satisfaction
permeated this afternoon
my mind was clear
my soul was full
my heart — overflowed
as dusk descended
I was approaching the forest
heady with expectation
my stride was smooth and steady
the downing sun — a gentle gold embrace
walking near the tree line
early shadows fell soft across my face
as vesper’s velvet blanket
draped its comfort ’round my shoulders
splendid calm enveloped me
yet there began other shadows
settling in my mind
strange distractions
haunting me
hunting me
that disrupted my moments
they now still come
unannounced
almost imperceptible
but there is still far to go
I am eager to journey
drawn by the beauty
that is the rich sunset
facing into the evening breeze
I venture onward
rolling amber and coral
spreads across the horizon
as I enter the old growth
shadows again shift
dull confusion finds me
I lose my pace and focus
to draw up in momentary halt
nagging concern
disquiets me
a stab of panic
pierces my solace
unwelcome bewilderment
grips me
holds me
uncomfortable in my skin
a cloud of frustration
sweeps over me
obscuring briefly
my purpose and destination
then the fog wafts
and again I remember
ahead lies the veiled valley
my hearth and home
but I wander
and once more lose the path
the evening mist is settling
wafting down
through the forest canopy
like a shroud
twilight is coming
much too quickly
and my concern
at first a nuisance — mounts
a growing fear
gnaws inside
fear I will not make it
not make it home
home before sundown
ushers in the darkness
I fear these gathering shadows
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Shadows” by: rob kistner © 3/28/24
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rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
Poetry at: NaPoWriMo 2024 — Day 19
“rolling amber and coral
spreads across the horizon”
I love these lines and I believe they are a good focal point, even in the shadows.
Thank you Melissa. Always good to keep ones eyes towards the light… 🙂
‘Dusk Descends’.
An analogy of life itself.
‘walking near the tree line
early shadows fell soft across my face
as vesper’s velvet blanket
draped its comfort ’round my shoulders’
beautiful imagery and the top image is alive and amazing.
Thank you so much Shirley. I appreciate your kind words.
The poem reminds me of the beauties of the day that we ingest and keep close to keep us warm at night.
Whatever gets you through the night — it’s alright… 🙂
This is incredibly powerful writing, Rob! I especially relate to; “yet there began other shadows settling in my mind strange distractions
that disrupted my moments.” We must keep them at bay!
Thank you for your kind words Sanaa. Yes, I have elevated my battle with my memory. Monitoring the lesions in the white matter of my brain is much like tracking my Congestive Heart Failure. They both continue to get worse, but at least mow I have a name for them, and can do what I can to slow it down, or at least recognize the phases of degradation. Makes me feel somewhat empowered. Wish there was something more I could afford to do for my declining hearing and eyesight. I am learning some work arounds for the arthritis in my fingers. And medical advancements in pills, insulin, and now CGM have definitely enabled me to live longer with my unstable diabetes. Unfortunately, all this stuff has made it much more difficult to get around and visit all the dVerse poets. I regret it, but I do the best I can.
Wow, Rob, this is deep!
I love this journey through a day filled with wonder and satisfaction, but as evening approaches, the narrator becomes increasingly anxious about losing their way in the gathering shadows, fearing they won’t make it home before darkness falls.
Poweful, how despite the beauty of the sunset, a growing sense of fear and uncertainty looms over the narrator as they struggle to navigate through the darkness to find their way back home.
Thank you Jan, I appreciate your kind words. Glad this resonated with you. 55 million people worldwide struggle with this growing darkness, fearing losing their way home… 😐
I love these lines: ahead lies the veiled valley
my hearth and home. Shadows are a part of our lives and it is in striving despite them, that takes a lot of courage.
Thank you Grace. For me it is an essential desire not to disappear into the shadows, into the sundown… 🙂
It seemed like a dreamscape, but I didn’t realize it is somewhat your own journey. Beautiful imagery and very moving, Rob. I hope you can continue to see and follow that light! <3
It’s a little of both Merril. It’s been on my mind, and the poem was forming, so I went with it in resonance eith the suggested prompt.
Beautifully delivered landscape, both interior and exterior, Mr. K. I’m on that same track: have been noticing how much more frequently I find myself thinking, “Yeah, I used to know that” when the contestant beats me to the buzzer on Jeopardy. And don’t get me started on my increasing immobility issues, cardio rehab appointments, physical therapy, or my 9 pills in the morning, 6 in the evening, etc., etc., etc…
Hang in, man.
Sounds like we are both keeping several doctors employed, and a pharmacy on a first name basis (12 in AM / 8 in PM). I keep hangin’ but my arms are getting tired bro… 🙂