Imagine
a perfect pair
a luscious fantasy
round and delicate
firmly soft
visions of ecstasy
resistance gone
they’ll be mine
enjoyed with delight
I open my eyes
heartbeat’s quickening
dreamed of these all night
desire’s piqued
hunger’s tweaked
yes! …two poached eggs for breakfast
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “A Perfect Pair”
by: rob kistner © 2/5/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
She need not be frightened
she knows the moves
sees the steps
clearly in her mind
she knows the stride
the position of her body
just before elevation
she understands the speed
the run up
the lead foot
the plant angle
the knee bend
the thrust
she has done this
literally thousands of repetitions
no need for trepidation
she knows the energy of the moment
of the crowd
as they anticipate
as she anticipates
the lift off
the rise
the glorious weightlessness
the thrill of flying
she knows
how to offset the momentum
the feel of returning to earth
to her feet
actually
to her toes
to snap to a graceful stop
at point
straight and strong
arms raised and extended
the applause
that exhilaration
she knows this all
to her bones
she can do this
in her sleep
she has this mastered
she is a master dancer
but
that flash of doubt
there is always one leap
hat gives her a brief moment
of contemplative pause
the leap
back through time
to her eager youth
to all her dance training
her well-honed muscle memory
her invincibility
to her glory
but they do not feel it
that instantaneous flash
of mortal uncertainty
they do not feel it
nor do they feel the surge
of determination
of confidence
of courage
that roars to flame
in her soul
that fires her limbs
frees her mind
unleashes absolute inner silence
peace
they do not feel it
but they will see it
now
her Grand Jeté
human mastery
dance perfection
snd so
she leaps
beautifully
she will always
leap
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Quiet After Curtain”
by: rob kistner © 1/30/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
In recent months I have been in the very capable care of the Evergreen Neurosciences Institute, waging battle against the challenges of failing memory. I do not plan to go quietly into that empty darkness. I am raging against the fading of my identity. As the challenges increase, so does my determination. I wrote this poem as a response to my situation. It is also a promise to myself that I will never put down the fight.
Feel at times I’m wandering mindlessly
through fate’s frantic fickle festival
clinging to the worn trappings
of what was once some grand illusion
marching to the staggered cadence
of some fading fool’s parade
concerned I might be slipping
into a dangerous delusion
the matter of the white matter
sees my social skills degrade
still I plan to hold to center
maintaining dignity where I may
at times it seems unclear
if it’s futile to sustain
in those moments of the “empty”
when I lose focus on the way
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Dreams of Frail Wonderland”
by: rob kistner © 1/27/24
drifting in shifting dreams
as in a frail wonderland
not always understanding
though inside I know I must
ignoring growing evidence
that more memories have gone
untangling threads of life
carefully brushing away the dust
still I look into the future
and every new day I try
to bring joy and to move forward
as will I do until I die
marching onward to that cadence
‘cause it’s my sweet fool’s parade
I will continue building memories
even as those memories fade
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Fool’s Parade”
by: rob kistner © 1/27/24
when that final sundown comes my love
I’ll not be lost in darkness, nor be alone
you’ve made life brighter that the sun
you are my light — you are my home
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
~ click the logo below to learn more about the Dementia Society of America:
Texas Hold’em is a type of poker in which players can make their best 5-card hand out of 7 available cards. In Texas Hold-em, players receive two facedown cards as their personal hand (blind hole-cards), after which there is a round of betting. Then three board cards are turned face up simultaneously (called the flop) and another round of betting occurs. The next two board cards are dealt face up to the table, one at a time. The first is called the “turn”. The next card is the last. It’s called the “river”. There is a round of betting after each of these last two cards. A player can “fold” (drop out) at any time.
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “All Bets Down” by: rob kistner © 1/25/24
As poker games go, Texas hold-em’s best
beats all the rest, the bet makes it so
first two cards come blind, then three face up flop
betting don’t stop, if your cards are kind
fourth face up turns, one more ups the river
don’t blink or shiver, ‘cause weakness burns
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Sharks”
by: rob kistner © 1/25/24
first bet the flop, then two to the river
if you deliver, thrills never stop
your blind cards are key, dictating the bet
never forget, each bet costs money
right here I won’t share more about this game
should you play if you’re tame… my thoughts — don’t!
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “One Hand Too Many”
by: rob kistner © 1/25/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Alice’s Produce Stand” by: rob kistner © 1/23/24
A veggie grower named Alice I’ve found
whose fresh veggies I consume with delight
her veggie stand is on the far side of town
gotta get more of Alice’s produce tonight
her Wonderland Risotto is simply to die for
her own homegrown mushrooms are the key
I’m off to Alice’s in hopes she has more
these other ‘shrooms I tried just don’t agree
while heading to Alice’s alone — not a care
through some tall trees I happen to glance
there’s a valley nature conceals down there
what do I see — a woodland nymph in a dance
I can not believe the wonder I see
a vision joined by singing butterfly elves
this enchanted vale is awhirl below me
mythical creatures enjoying themselves
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Alice’s Best Friend Poppy”
by: rob kistner © 1/23/24
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Blu the Rabbit Queen”
by: rob kistner © 1/23/24
dare I go down there and join in the fun
Blu and Poppy are there – I feel no fear
so down the mountainside quickly I run
burst through the trees – Alice! you’re here
Alice my dear, this is not your veggie stand
no — but follow me, hurry, let us not wait
my place is just ahead — please take my hand
you’re halucinating badly on that mushroom you ate
you feeling small, then big, is your head in a spin
I’ve something at my stand to make you feel right
then go home, make risotto — put my mushrooms in
close your eyes, take a nap, you’ll be fine tonight
I start drifting away, didn’t take but a while
as I do, I realize that I now understand
I dream Alice is saying with a huge Cheshire smile
“for ‘enlightening’ risotto try my Wonderland”
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Alice’s Butterfly Dance”
by: rob kistner © 1/23/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
Bright white
it blinds me
taunts me
empty as my mind
no stir of love
no rant of anger
no wink of irony
no blush of sensuality
no tale to spin
no phrase to turn
NOTHING!
just – vast — empty — screen
damn this poetic pinch
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
F ate is dancing in the moonlight
in a gossamer gown of falling stars
silhouetted against the night sky
in the satin silver chill of winter
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Silken Bed of Wonber”
by: rob kistner © 1/18/24
she whirls dream room to dream room
the whole world close enough to touch
on this deep night of ecstatic lovers
entwined on soft silken beds of wonder
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Passion-Winged Hearts”
by: rob kistner © 1/18/24
the bow of love songs pulled just right
taut golden strings are pressed down tight
the passion-winged hearts of lovers unite
lift them trembling in sensual delight
*
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Passion’s Embrace”
by: rob kistner © 1/18/24
to soar over moonlit rooftops above
ablaze in soul-fire magic of love
as lovely fate dances in moonlight
on this satin chill winter’s night
in her wondrous gown of stars
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Moon Magic Lady” (diptych)
by: rob kistner © 1/18/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
to me
this city
as are most cities
is empty of heart
void of soul
this city
that vibrates
with the rush and chaos
of synapse and sinew
this city
that vibrates
with the hum of networked urgency
data outdistancing comprehension
often the we can
beyond the reach
of should we
this city
teeming
with college’d clones
like-patterned minds
that surge with ambition
that submit to the agendas
good or bad
dreaming of early retirement
fearing an early death
this city
bedecked in stainless
and stone
poured
erected
glassen’d
this city
ablaze in halogen
aglow in neon
awash in tears
of the poor
this city
its haughty monoliths
of varying shape
differing size
flanked in concrete corridors
that criss and cross
blink and beep
that ring buzz belch hiss
— and stink
this city
that intimidates
in cold and calculated majesty
this empty city
as do most
abuses the human soul
it does not nurture
no
it does not offer solace
to my human core
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Folded Petal’s Mystery”
by: rob kistner © 1/16/24
that seeks the folded petal’s mystery
that marvels at the smallness
of a changing frond
at the tart-sweet scent’d
gnarled bark
of mighty conifer monoliths
thrusting ever skyward
or the magic
of a budding branch
this city
does not touch my spirit
soothed by wind and water
thrilled by song of birds
or the swoop of hawks
this city
does not spark my wonder
stirred by the yelp
or bark
or bleat
of beasts
this city
cannot reach my soul
that needs to see a salmon’s trek
the open sky
the roll of unobstructed clouds
see the fall of stars
this city
has nothing for my soul
that needs to hear the crack of thunder
resound for miles across the plane
then off the mountain’s face
that needs the fresh embrace of rain
the crisp and quiet drift of snow
the hues and sway of living fields
this city
leaves my spirit cold
that needs to watch the orchard
blossom and bloom to fruit
see forests
thick beyond horizons
or feel the lift of cresting surf
no
this city
does not satisfy my need
to know the evolving natural wonders
that inspire
that swell my soul
that resonate my heart
this city
does not hold my soul
and so I look beyond
for my tomorrow
*
humans stacked in cubes
compressed so their soul can’t breathe
this is not the way
humans need nature
the heart and mind must be free
break the concrete cage
*
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Future Balanced City”
by: rob kistner © 1/16/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
Here I’m wishing wishes for those days when life made sense. I’m thinking thoughts that tear at me for the things I failed to be. How I do welcome the damp dreary days of February, when my forlorn fallen face is commonplace. When no one intrudes to question what’s the matter. To tears I cry there comes no — why, because all around are caught up in the blues.
No, she will not excuse this sadly lost and broken man, who much too late understands I was a fool, and in this sorrow understands, love’ll not return. I am glad fouler weather will soon occur, to drive the joyful all around me to indoor spaces, so I’ll be spared the pain of smiling faces. My heart aches to feel her smile’s embrace. But that smile was the last smile to come upon her face.
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
This “found poem” is made from the first line from each monthly poem I posted in 2023. At the very bottom of this post is the title of each in chronological order. These first lines were not assembled chronologically.
Mysterious lady in blackened silk
your essesnce unearthed in Corsica
we have watched billowing pearl clouds
sing to me my sweet sweet lover
a whispered zephyr tosses my hair
a stolen kiss in the night
I can still feel it — all of it
tonight memories unfold
hmmm… excuse me please
this american life is flawed
nightfall now — the darkness descends
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “American Nightfall”
by: rob kistner © 1/11/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Beast of Verse” by: rob kistner © 1/9/24
A beast of verse
a seeker of my soul’s expression
stalker of the proper
the perfect turn of phrase
poetry’s ever my obsession
ever my prize
it haunts me
taunts me
relentlessly I seek it
in the voice of a breeze
stirring the trees
in forest high canopies
in the rustle of leaves
and dried conifer needles
underfoot
hiking
in the drumming
of my footfalls
on old growth root chambers
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Root Chamber Rhythms”
by: rob kistner © 1/9/24
in the crackle
of a chill
still
late night
campfire
in the cries
calls
chuffs
growls
and belling
of wild nature
it arrives in the roar
of the pacific ocean
rolling waves
crashing on a rocky shore
or relentlessly pounding
sheer cliff facades
that flank
the coast
soaring skywardy
from the ocean floor
it reveals itself
surprising
in a captured glimpse
of the midnight moon
rising
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Midnight Moon Rising”
by: rob kistner © 1/9/24
in the shimmered beams
of golden sunlight
drifting down dreamlike
to fire the forest clearing
it is the song
of the soul
played to the music
of the spheres
in the chords of truth
that every angel hears
it floats
between the notes
of a mellow jazz tune
and in the mist
that veils the
early AM moon
it murmurs in the ripples
lapping my drift boat
as I fish
afloat
a high mountain lake
seeking my take
it comes enwrapped
in the sounds
that abound
in pacific northwest
wilderness
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Quiet Contemplation”
by: rob kistner © 1/9/24
it comes unbidden
quietly hidden
dancing elusively
in and out of my thoughts
it comes in the quiet
of warm firelight
deep in the night
when all else
has fallen away
I reach out
to embrace it
in the hope
it will stay
it whispers to me
drawing me deeper
into the mystery
of it all
I hear it call
coaxing me to the edge
of almost comprehension
yet leaving me aglow
needing to know
in brilliant bewilderment
warm in the embrace
of bewitching wonderment
a beast of verse
compelled to write
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Compelled To Write”
by: rob kistner © 1/9/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
As soft I knelt
bright shone the sun
though the winter held
warmth made inroad
as will my heart
the lagoon soon melts
with breaking dawn
my warm tears flowed
renewed love
is what I felt
bright shone the sun
as soft I knelt
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Watchful Alpha”
by: rob kistner © 1/8/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “The Beauty of Wisdom” – by: rob kistner © 2024
THE MAIDEN — THE NATURALIST — THE CREATOR — The POET
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “4 Spirits of A Women” – by: rob kistner © 2024
Radiant vision
silken skinned
sheer translucent
as an amber flame
you tempt my dreams
you rouse my slumber
you’re torrid
as a teen’s temptation
I am captive
to a lover’s pyre
kindle’d tinder
by goddess fire
your bewitching face
so captivating
so seductive
my soul’s levitating
your hair a rich’n’thick
deep chestnut gold
to stroke’n’fondle
as I fantasize
lushly plush
sensual to touch
sable soft
as a lover’s sighs
your skin is golden
as a summer sunrise
so stunning
as to blind
creation’s eyes
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Strength Truth Beauty — She Is”
by: rob kistner © 2024
you are daughter
of this earth
warrior queen of truth
goddess blessed at birth
unrestrained by
repressive normalcy
riding the four winds
living free
you are fast
as a moment passed
graceful
as a gliding doe
you radiate rizz
like none that is
clad in the earth satins
of champions royal
your temperament
totally loyal
your courage
is your legacy
deeply rooted
bravery
relentless champion
of equality
your smile enticing
as a gentle rain
warm
as a summer lane
you are goddess
ever beautiful
divinely-splendrous
sculpted grand
you’re strong
as an April storm
your stare striking
as thunder’d lightning
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “The Stare” –
by: rob kistner © 2024
brought forth
in natural glory
from fair eden
by Aphrodite’s hand
pursuing wisdom
of the spheres
embracing truth
rejecting fears
sensuous and serious
fragile and furious
delicate and dangerous
complex and curious
thinker
warrior
teacher
mother
a sacred source
for the human race
a font of love
of understanding
the fate of civilization
is by your grace
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Mother of Civilization” –
by: rob kistner © 2024
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
As you read this Christmas poem, with its taste of bittersweetness, see it not in a dark light — embrace it as a tale of an inevitable journey, to be with the one so beloved…
B rushed my shoulder on this morning’s train
then while in line to get my breakfast tea
at the market it was there again
from our favorite table it beckoned me
in the crowd at the festive mall
glimpsed like a flicker of candle light
I swear I saw it fleeting fall
upon the gifts I did not wrap this night
upon this tree, friends helped decorate
upon the greeting cards I did not write
in angry voice I bitterly chastise fate
singing carols this night, no no not quite
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Merry Crushmess”
– by: rob kistner © 2023
I see it there in every aisle
the shadow of your sweet love
elusive as a shopper’s smile
caught up in the crush and shove
it haunts me this night each year
the same night that you went away
in dreams you kiss away each tear
touch my lips that beg you stay
but tomorrow’s Christmas morn
I will not awaken broken blue
this night I’m no longer torn
love’s final act from me to you
it was our love — was Christmas
in my heart, this is forever true
beneath this bright Christmas star
I give my love and life again to you
on this blessed Eve’s midnight deep
my precious love — I come to you
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Coming M’Love”
– by: rob kistner © 2023
*
rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: dVerse
We cross this solstice night
the final dying of the light
as the old year quickly wanes
seasons circle back again
life’s cycles will reprise
a new year will arise
may the power of light’s rebirth
bring you blessings of the earth
rising from this longest night
we visualize new born light
as each day’s warmth increases
night’s chilling grip releases
light will overtake the dark
sun shifts the journey of its arc
each new day’s light longer burns
as earth’s precious warmth returns
embraced rich in solstice moonlight
our hearts burn warm and bright
in the splendor of this deepest night
our love and our dreams ignite
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Longest Night”
by: rob kistner © 12/21/23
*
rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: dVerse