Hope
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, courage, dark, family, horror, photo, regret, suspense, tragedy, wisdom
•
I lift myself quietly
very quietly
from beneath the sheets
soiled with neglect
soaked with my nightmares
I am again awake
from another dark night
that began with fear
fear I might not survive
and ends in sorrow
realizing I did
I rise
make my way carefully
past the shallow-breathed crumple
that lay milky-eyed
in a heap on the floor
un-moving
save a twitch of the head
a head which now harbors demons
where nocturnal angels of sweet release
had lain down lush upon it
in fevered embrace
lustfully conjured
by last night’s spoon and lance
still skewered silver in the soured vein
this wreckage is my mother
I stop but for a glance
verifying life
then move on head down
angle to the bathroom
to the scum-brown bowl
to wash my face
lit sallow by the yellowed bulb
that hangs bare and lonely
strange eyes
hold me in the mirror
broken as my heart
eyes of knowing
eyes of sadness
grief courses through me
weighing upon my being
burning into my heart
I want to cry out
but there is no one here to hear me
no hero that can help me
driven by instinct to survive
by urgency to flee
I shudder away the paralyzing despair
in this dank food-less morning
in this ruined single room
in this coat-less chill of predawn
I gather up my books
step lightly through the door
down the damaged stairs
into the hostile streets
heavy with this childhood of strangled dreams
I duck and dodge
in and out of shadows
praying to once again avoid the evil
that lurks and slinks
among the garbage and graffiti
of these crumbled bricken’d canyons
that rolls slow and lethal
gripping cold blue steel
in predatory drive-by
evil
seductive as a smile
deadly as a snake
evil
which if diligence should fail
I fear will consume my soul
deliberately I continue
until at last I find my way
to the building
to the classroom
to my desk
to the only hope
to which I dare cling
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
• linked at Magpie Tales
Ballo diVita
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, art, beauty, erotic, joy, love, music, mystery, sensuality, whimsy, wonder
•
he
a master of time and space
she
so young and trusting
he
a wizard of colors and words
dazzled her with danger and dreams
she
a nubile daughter of nature
anointed him with exotic pleasures
he
replaced the sun in her sky
with a fire he conjured and kept
she
warmed herself in its heat
came to his bed at its setting
they
the left foot and the right foot poised
to step forth in creativity’s dance
to whirl and glide persistent and true
in the measure and balance of love
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
Root Quest
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Poetry
Root Quest
•
he walks with staggered step
an uneven broken cadence
for he stumbles with the sins
of his unknown father
resigned to the weight that presses
and bears him bent in melancholy
he does not waver from his path
nor hesitate in his journey
for his stride is for more than one
whose fate he does hold aloft
and through whose pulse and heart
his lifeblood now courses in kind
each step keeps the dream with breath
that over the approaching rise
he will encounter the enigma
which is his fire and source
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
Endings
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Poetry, concrete poetry, dark, mystery
•
shrouded by evening in waning october
as autumn tumbles towards winter
is to know the losing of the light
the ever growing darkness
the advance of the cold
the time of endings
death’s due vigil
deep silence
dormant
so still
how do I abide this season
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
Silence - two reflections
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Poetry, dark, horror, regret, tragedy, wisdom
These two poetic reflections are unrelated, beyond their focus on silence. The first reflection here considers what it is to fall into the deepening silence of old age. The second reflection looks at the silence that causes, and also results from repression…
•
shrouded by evening in waning october
as autumn tumbles towards winter
is to know the losing of the light
the ever growing darkness
the advance of the cold
the time of endings
death’s due vigil
deep silence
how do I abide this season
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
•
escape was an improbability
as was understanding
opinions regarding outcome
ignored altogether
fate sealed with no discourse
executed with an air of entitlement
when one has no arms to flail
no fists to clench
no fingers to point
gestures of dissent are sorely limited
rights easily wrest away
freedom falls beyond grasp
inevitable
when one has no voice
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
• linked at Magpie Tales
The Tear
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Poetry
The Tear
•
the dream broke
like a prodigal sun
on a startled winter evening
causing him to squint
blinking away happiness
like sand in the eyes of love
you were there
the disapproving guest
at the final edit party
you took his cues
took his keys
took his shoes
took his leave
you took him for a fool
it wasn’t you didn’t want him
you said
you simply saw yourself
in a different movie
with a different ending
no broken hearts
at least
not yours
and the stranded man
in the leather chair
had my face
had no expectations
made no demands
held you responsible
for nothing
and you left the table
cashed in your winnings
climbed the winding stairs
silk purse in hand
his heart in your pocket
to place it at midnight
on your balcony sill
to watch it wither in the moonlight
he had no need for it
nor most certainly
did you
and the night lark sang
and a silver tear
fell hard as steel
from his crystal’d cheek
which you collected in a sterling box
and tossed into the sea
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
King of Sunrise
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, dark, fantasy, introspection, mystery, philosophy, regret, tragedy, wisdom, wonder
•
on the boulevard below
last night’s rain puddles
midst the chaos of metro-clutter
held hostage by tire and curb
as if abandoned by the waters of earth
it shoulders its way through the gutters
in search of mother sea
this day begins golden and crisp
bird songs echo empty sunrise streets
me and the first edition
we sit by this morning window
with coffee and curiosity
quietly serenaded by the 5:00 AM news
I read
occasionally glimpse the screen
grow troubled by our human plight
amazed how we never learn
when the answers seem so obvious
in this moment
the tv drones
my frustration rises
my spirit slips
my mind drifts
lifting on the vapor ribbons
wafting from my steaming cup
until I stare distracted
the announcer’s mouth continues sculpting words
but I’ve fallen deep into my thoughts
imagining how different it would be
if I ruled this world
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
Aeropachydermicide
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Image, Poetry, art, dark, humor noir, introspection, myth, nature, regret, rhyme, tragedy, wisdom
Aeropachydermicide – recklessly causing the death of someone or something by actions that result from the foolish belief that one is so smart and powerful that one can make an elephant fly.
•
somewhere between our petrochemical insanity
and our reckless dance with fractured atoms
we believed we were the miracle
and it all went seriously awry
we fantasized we had dominion
that we understood the vast unknown
could control the raw chaotic
that we had figured out the why
so we delved into dark science
with no regard for frail nature
flailed our way across the planet
belched our leavings into our sky
we so bought into our egos
that we perceived ourselves as gods
that we were capable of anything
perhaps make the elephant to fly
but we humans lost sight of balance
did not comprehend our place
as only one of precious many
we let the tipping point slip by
now we wonder what will happen
to our misbegotten dream
stare through disbelieving tears
as we watch it slowly die
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
_________________________
AN ADDITIONAL POEM FOR YOUR CONSIDERTION:
Why Raven?
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Poetry, dark, mystery, tragedy, wisdom
•
there stands a raven in the rain
liquid-black as molten coal
beside a woman
besot and broken
thoughts so black and molten
outstretched in her anguish
ravin’ in the rain
raven in the rain
why is it that you stand here
so very soaked and sullen
beside this woman so besot
so broken and bereft
heart so black and shattered
ravin’ in the rain
has her ravin’ called you forth
do you feel kinship in her blackness
does it bind you common thread
is there a faint scent of death
carried on her plaintive breath
she outcast and shunned
so like your thankless plight
picking ‘mongst the carnage
rooting in the road-kill
the writhing crawling carcass rot
left the spoiled — not the spoils
this is your lot is it not
to consume the left-for-dead
the world’s lost decay
raven in the rain
are you here to feast today
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
October
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, beauty, food, gratitude, homage, love, mystery, nature, photo, prose, wisdom, wonder
It is entitled “October”.
October is upon us, as we enter our autumn season here in the Pacific Northwest. The cycle of renewal will begin in western Oregon, where I live. The summer’s dry period has ended, and agricultural irrigation has ceased.
Harvesting explodes in October, including the grape harvest in our many vineyards. A period of renewal will follow the gathering of this autumn bounty, as the soil is left to recover.
The fruit and nut trees, the vines in the vineyards, and the crop fields will begin the slow period of winter revitalization, in anticipation of the growing seasons to come in the new year. The Great Mandala of life turns steady.
The rains that begin in late October, increasing into November, will work their magic — plumping Oregon’s world-class Christmas tree and holly crops, renewing the sparkle of these holiday icons, readying them for harvest.
Wild nature will also enter a period of recovery and renewal. The flowering plants that have dropped their petals, and the grasses and brush, gone late-summer golden, seek these nurturing rains.
Mighty evergreens pause, conifers drop their cones, and deciduous trees shed their leaves – all go dormant, and rest. The vast Northwest forests are enriched by this period of rejuvenation.
Streams, whose water levels have dropped considerably, will come to new life when rains begin to replenish their flow. Sockeye salmon start their run to the sea, as Chinook begin their spawn. Rainbow, Brook, German Brown, and Cutthroat Trout, as well as the numerous other species of fish become active as the waters rise and cool.
Bear, deer, cougar, elk, coyote, big horn sheep, pronghorn antelope, hawk, osprey, eagle; the varied and plentiful wildlife of our region begin preparation for their unique winter rituals.
October nudges autumn into winter — a peaceful time of restoration here in this breathtakingly beautiful region. A regenerative calm lies upon the lush land, as the season of sky-water arrives to quench nature’s thirst, and revivify her energies.
October
•
as the gardener shades her tend
bending close to nourish and protect
so too nature stoops
to embrace and refresh
her pacific northwest paradise
her autumn shadow upon the land
she leans down
and lets flow life-giving waters
to enrich this lush realm
she covers her beloved eden
in a soft blanket of moist cloud
a shelter from harsh winter
to insure spring’s rich bounty
abundant fruits
vegetables
and nuts
hill-climbing vineyards
towering trees
too numerous to imagine
endless grasses
bushes
berries
and flowers
all will be spring succulent
from buildiing winter waters
mountain streams
valley rivers
swell with migrating fish
soon they journey home
these fresh waters of new birth
birds and animals
flock and gather
embraced by this season
of quiet renewal
in step and harmony
with this cycle
they too will welcome spring
with plentiful new life
a sustaining love
this affair
life
nurtured to witness
the eventual spring
• • •
rob kistner © 2008
_______________________________________________________________________________
• Oregon Autumn rain on conifer needles
• Autumn at Sokol Blosser Vineyards, Willamette Valley Oregon
• Sockeye salmon, Deschutes River, Oregon
• Autumn Cascade Mountain Lake, Oregon
Slithered
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Poetry, art, dark, mystery, nature, suspense
The Snake Charmer, Henri Rousseau, 1907
•
ever hissing ever hissing
the smooth slithered snake
stealthily winds its slender self
to slowly settle in the shadows
to set its searching sights
on its unsuspecting prey
an ever patient sentry
coiled to seize its precious prize
with surety of purpose
this silent sleek assassin
will strike swift and certain
never missing never missing
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
Fool’s Parade - possible lyrics for a song
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under lyrics
Fool’s Parade
•
people wander mindless through fate’s festival of folly
clinging tight to the trappings of grand illusion
march in fantasy to the cadence of the fool’s parade
not realizing they’re in hard step with delusion
not noticing the cracks in society’s great facade
growing numbers cling and scale it every day
with no real thought of where or why they’re climbing
rushing frenzied - not certain of the way
never asking why
keep your head down
moving forward
never stopping ‘til you die
masses swaying in the radiance of the fiery setting sun
not knowing soon the sunrise may be dark
swept up in wild dreams of their frail wonderland
unaware that there may be no morning lark
never asking why
keep your head down
moving forward
never stopping ‘til you die
drunk on the black nectar of sweet mother earth
oblivious as her caverns fill with dust
we are blind to the evidence that she may soon be gone
growing weaker slowly dying from our lust
never asking why
keep your head down
moving forward
never stopping ‘til you die
marching on to the cadence of the fool’s parade
never knowing that we’re caught up in a fool’s charade
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
Images - a ten year vigil
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Poetry, courage, dark, dark drama, homage, horror, introspection, love, memories, photo, prayer, regret, tragedy, wisdom
unfathomable images
the graceful glide
engulfed by the spire
in a roar of golden orange
horribly beautiful
perversely mesmerizing
obscene
devastating images
torrents of humanity
raining down
desperation their only escape
masses of humanity
racing
to outrun the unbelievable
praying
to be delivered from the inconceivable
traumatic images
shrines of free commerce
consumed
by the unbearable weight
of their fragile significance
plummeting to earth
in a cloud of self-destruction
heartbreaking images
screaming
dazed
terrified souls
consumed
by the unbearable weight of the moment
staggering onward
to outdistance the surging roll
of all-engulfing
pulverized aftermath
courageous images
battered
determined
tireless heroes
those who were called
who served unselfishly
some
who gave the ultimate service
haunting images
color
gender
ethnicity
wiped away
from the ashen-grey faces
of the traumatized throngs
now just masks of calamity
all made equal
by horror and grief
one nation
under siege
inconsolable
with tragedy and sorrow
for all
unforgettable images
burned into our hearts
Disappearing
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Image, Poetry, dark, philosophy, regret, wisdom
•
I now move in the world unseen
I am transparent
a fading glimpse
caught in the darkened corner
of an ever dimming eye
where once I blocked the sun
I am but a shadow
moving between shadows
at the edge of light
without form
once a voice
that thundered ‘cross the distance
called all near to listen
in doing so was heard
now hardly just a whisper
my footsteps
shook the ground in passing
now leave but faint a trace
barely form and then are gone
as if I am no longer here
yet here I am
worn thin and weary
not strength to hold the hands of time
not sound to bid a fair goodbye
quickly disappearing
dissolving into the dust of age
gone before I’ve left
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
• linked at Magpie Tales
Clown
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Image, Poetry, art, dark, horror, irony, love, mystery, rhyme, suspense, tragedy
•
I’m the sad little clown with the frowning face
the round red nose and the great big tear
this meek facade and silly sham
belie the horror that I engineer
life’s dealt me cold my hand is slack
not one queen no king nor ace
so violence now dwells in me
masked behind my woeful face
no one suspects the evil soul
that festers deep in this funny fool
they know not the monster here
my gentle sheen conceals the cruel
they don’t realize a broken heart
a ruined life makes one quite mad
they simply see the pitiful
the painted face that looks so sad
the shaggy coat the baggy pants
the red suspenders the big white glove
they do not know it hides the hand
that choked the life from the one they love
town after town state after state
bodies mount in the circus’ wake
in the dead of night at the dark of moon
in frenzied fever each life I take
each beautiful each innocent
each unaware that they would die
there will be more on the road ahead
one for every tear you made me cry
when the circus comes and the tents go up
the people cheer in each sleepy town
because the poor fools just don’t know
who’s really come is the killer clown
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
_____________________
for two more tales of murder written in dark rhyme click “more”
