Duet
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, art, gratitude, music, mystery, photo

•
rounding a bend
brushing through waist-high fern
I crest a knoll and stop
mesmerized
awash in the warm brushstrokes of evening
filtered through this woodland realm
as the waning sun paints the world golden
below me
a pristine ribbon of silver-blue water
marbled saffron
with the bending rays of sunlight
that bow into this magnificent canyon
cut by time and current in the great rock of the earth
transfixed
I marvel at the power
the beauty
at the determination of this mighty river
that sculpts this majestic work
it tumbles in timeless clarity
over boulder and falls
ever onward
in lyric voice
it beckons me to its banks
I come
entranced
stand immersed in its energy
captivated by its duet with the wind
that plays the boughs of the towering pines
singing down the lofty climbs
to gently brush my face
toss my hair
and dance past me round a bend
in perfect harmony
serenaded in this evensong
sunset has melted into moonrise
the waters ripple sterling in soft applause
as the moon sets aglow this splendid concert
my soul aches to join accapela
to be fluent in this song of nature
though I dare not spoil the accord
so I but listen with my heart
spellbound
• • •
rob kistner © 2010
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• photographs taken near my home in the Cascade Mountain foothills
top photo entitled: “Sunlight on the Clackamas”
bottom photo entitled: “Moon over the Santiam”
_____________________
Entrapped
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Poetry, dark, horror, mystery, tragedy
•
unfurling in linear spiral
time escapes into the future
tethered to the past
ever captive in the now
over and over
repeating in my head
these same strange words
the same chilling voice
over and over
unfurling in linear spiral
time escapes into the future
tethered to the past
ever captive in the now
always the same fevered dream
the fear
the guilt
the regret
I am fallen
paralyzed
unable to lift my head
it’s then I see him
see him coming
slowly out of the mist
coming
always coming
his sour smile
menacing
condemning
I want to rise up
run at him
scream at him
strike at him
run from him
run
but I cannot
I cannot
again that haunting voice
unfurling in linear spiral
time escapes into the future
tethered to the past
ever captive in the now
but what
what does it mean
I’m going
going — I think
going mad
mad
what does it mean
why — charles
it means nothing
and everything
and yes — charles
you are going mad
who
who are you
how do you know my name
why won’t you leave
leave me alone
what do you want!
want?
why – you, charles
tethered to your past
ever captive in this now
• • •
rob kistner © 2010
Running Out
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Poetry, dark, horror, love, tragedy
•
he runs his fingers through her hair
tears run down his cheeks
he holds her near
cradled
too late protected
he runs the events
over and over in his mind
the horrible events
daisey
our golden lab
running out into the street
you running out after
right into the path
run down
why
why
why did you run
now time
and your precious life
running out
running out
• • •
rob kistner © 2010
Racing
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, action, art, courage, gratitude, photorendering

•
right
keep right came the response
redirecting the runner
in reaction to his rapid-fire request regarding the route
racing recklessly in redoubled resolve
certain this resurgence would redeem his rough start
he ran rampant
refusing to relinquish his radical pace
no longer rambling
he raged like a rogue renegade
determination renewed
hope refueled
spirit refreshed
his belief was rekindled that a resounding victory would result
if he would just run
run
run
his rally realized
lungs raw and ragged
he rocketed ‘cross the finish line
reared his head
and roared raucously
arms raised in release
tears rolling in relief
he rejoiced
triumphant
• • •
rob kistner © 2010
So Amusing
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Image, Poetry, homage, humor noir, photo, rhyme, satire, whimsy

•
what is it you find so amusing my dear
perhaps it’s the fact I have only one ear
it makes it difficult to accurately hear
so you’ll have to speak that much louder I fear
yes it’s true, as you see, I have only my right
the left was cut off in a terrible fight
and I have not been quite the same since that night
it’s hard to be happy when you’re a pitiful sight
my glasses are impossible to keep on my face
and my hat just refuses to stay in its place
where there once was an ear I have only a space
but having one ear surely is no disgrace
with only a right ear my intake’s askew
I only hear things from a right point of view
so my right point of view I assume to be true
and therefore it’s righteous — what I think and do
now what is it you find so amusing my dear
I hope you’re not laughing at my missing ear
I suggest you had better stop pointing, you hear
’cause a righteous right-eared man is someone to fear
• • •
rob kistner © 2010















