Frozen Man

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line art: “Frozen Man” — rob kistner © 2008

 

Stopping Is No Option

~

— QUADRILLE —

Stopping is no option

giving up
is giving in
grip letting go of dreams

frozen is the frightened man
withered in a worried cage

happy is a voting man
a hero heard and heeded

stopping is no option
for the times
they are a’changin’

rob kistner © 2020

~ ~

— COMPLETE VERSION —

* Watch me read Frozen Man complete version: CLICK HERE

Stopping is no option

to lose the way is to keep going
keep moving forward
lest one atrophies
rigid with despair
paralyzed with doubt
locked in hopelessness
bound by fear

the giving up
is the giving in
is the rot that sets
with the loss of wonder
when grip lets go of dreams

loss of faith debilitates the soul
cripples the manifest light
that shines so bright
at the leap into sacred uncertainty
so bright
as to boldly illuminate truth

frozen is the frightened man
withered in a worried cage

terrified of the wrong step
of the journey all in
of daring the way unmarked

wounded by fear
bleeding out the color of life
hemorrhaging joy
exsanguinating possibility

a cold brittled husk
mired in regret
for never having shone so brightly
as to blind the eyes of death
as to light the way of truth

valiant is a voting man
a hero heard and heeded
a cry of dissatisfaction
a voice of change
a stand for defiance

stopping is no option

so senators and congressmen
you best heed the call
don’t stand in the doorway
don’t block up the hall
for they that will lose
will be they who have stalled

so brothers and sisters
raise up your hand
let it be known
throughout the land
if we want change
we must take a stand

NO
stopping is no option

for the times
they are a-changin’

~ ~ ~

rob kistner © 2008
revision © 2020

 


 

NOTE: To read more about folly: CLICK HERE

51 thoughts on “Frozen Man”

  1. Good Morning, Rob~ Your poem speaks volumes to me, it’s message strong. Sometimes moving forward is all we can do when adversity strikes. And, hope we can find the joy we once had on the other side. Well done.

    Also, I wanted to say I love your collages. They are strong visuals carrying their own stories to the forefront. I enjoyed looking at each very much. Have a nice day. And, thanks for sharing with Poefusion.

  2. I love this. I can’t even pull out a certain part of the poem that stuck out for me…the whole poem is just remarkable. Great imagery and flow throughout with a strong theme that everyone can relate to. Great poem.

  3. This poem really resonated…especially these lines:

    frozen is the frightened man
    withered in a worried cage

    As a worry wart ‘tried and true’, those words spoke volumes…thanks for sharing this beautifully written poem.

  4. hi rob,

    this is outstanding. real. succinct. human. it flows creamy. it provokes thought and it speaks to
    feelings we all feel. acknowledged or not.

    thanks for spilling it

    jingle

  5. This “frozen man” yet has strength to continue. The narrator in this poem edges hopelessness and still, despite the sadness and deep sense of loss, even despair, recognizes light. The artwork is beautifully drawn.

  6. As I wrote in my comment on Lill’s poem, I do try to be optimistic, but it’s hard these days. As you say, Rob, ‘stopping is no option’. I always cast my vote, otherwise it’s one fewer voice, and I must be heard. I wish I could vote in your election.

  7. Lovin’ the music….lovin’ the quadrille and the full texted poem.
    The times they are a changin’ OMG I truly hope so!!!!
    That’s the happiness project for you…a bright outlook for Wednesday!

  8. Bang on, brother, and considering it was written in its original form in 2009, it’s a bit prophetic too. If we were kings, Trump would be hauled off to the Tower tomorrow night.

  9. Rob I love your poem of encouragement and empowerment. If ever we need courage and fortitude to push through it is now. Caged and afraid is not an option. My favorite part:
    “mired in regret
    for never having shone so brightly
    as to blind the eyes of death
    as to light the way of truth”

    (fyi, your recording cut out at about 75% of the way through)

    1. Glad you liked it Lisa. The video plays all the way through for me, so sorry you had trouble. 🙁 Maybe it is having trouble over the internet? Maybe it’s TRUMP! 😉

  10. I sent my absentee ballot long ago….and sent it with heartfelt wishes for an end to this chaos to which we’ve been subjected. Loved your quadrille … and moreso the full text. From your mouth to God’s ears, my friend!

  11. a call to be heard … great write Rob!

    These lines resonated deepest
    “frozen is the frightened man
    withered in a worried cage”
    you nailed it … people are rushing off to vote right now!

  12. I love how you made a condensed version of your poem for Quadrille, and I enjoyed both versions, especially the weaving in of Bob Dylan and the powerful message, which I hope all of your compatriots hear!

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