M idnight
in our moonlit forest
snowfall shimmers
deep and still
through the boughs
of old growth
like dances of star clusters
it blankets
our mountain
in white
pure as love
this night
falls quiet and crisp
great white owl
echoes hope
through frosted cedars
*
rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: dVerse
Poetry at: Poets & Storytellers
Hear me read “Mingus”, scroll to below the music selections.
Original DDE™ digital abstract: “Mingus” — by: rob kistner © 12/5/23
Song of inspiration is “Goodbye Porkpie Hat”, a Mingus jazz composition.
Hey man
ya’eva feel the hit-bottom bass
of my spruce-wooden upright
while’ya
weep’n with the wound steel
strung ‘cross the sound holes
of this here
righteous holla’body
ya’eva
ache to d’blues-bent reed
of a lush broke-heart sax
ya’eva
burn to the brush’s sear
d’sizzle’n’spank o’da’taut-skin snare
ya’eva
sob to the surrender’n’sustain
of an ivory key’d ebony
d’ya know me
man
I’m jazz
I’m blues
hear me
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Rainin’ Jazz”<
by: rob kistner © 12/6/23
I’m the velvet touch
on the supple-strung
big-bottomed
long-necked lady
with the smooth
sweet curves
of a fine-ass dame
hot’n fresh
all aflame
warm and mellow
smokey golden
as a ‘52 big apple sunset
fully sussed
in jazzin’ lust
I’m celebration n’sorrow
tears n’understandin’
pain n’escape
I’m
razor’s edge real
with a soul o’steel
taunt me true
in a fiery flurry
of rhythmic dissonance
of sizzling
scalded jazz
lift the veils
from off my eyes
free me from these
tempo’d lies
Original DDE™ surrealistic diptych: “Whiskey Joint Waltz”
by: rob kistner © 12/6/23
wrap round me
with soft studied fingers
in free-form
coax me started
work me in the shadows
at the light’s blur edge
that pools in the night
in a wounded whiskey joint
on the bleak back streets
of the sad brokenhearted
I play to the anguish
of the loveless who cower
in the dark nightmare alleys
of the lost n’forgotten
I play to the grief
of the sinners who moan
alone in their heartbreak
in the ruins of love
I play my dirge
fo’ the busted dreamers
fo’ the butt-broke schemers
n’fo’too
the voiceless
frightn’d
screamers
I play to the last chance
of those loosin’ hope
hey man
hey
ya’eva needin’
I too play — f’giveness
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Thunderbox”
by: rob kistner © 12/6/23
*
rob kistner © 2022
revised © 2023
Poetry at: dVerse
~ Joni sings her observations about, and affection for Charles ~
NOTE: Click the arrow below to hear me read “Mingus”.
I was, where I am, when the snow began. Here, lost in reverie, remembering driving home for Christmas from the airport on a snowy night, after a long business trip — a memory triggered by this snowfall.
I remember the ruby chains of taillights, sparkling in the snowflakes, that floated to earth. Chains that stretched into darkness, over the horizon, pulling me along the freeway, home to you.
Exiting the interstate, I’d seek our country lane. I could make that left turn in my sleep. I’d envision every bend, every rise, every dip, stirring my heart. Finally came the drum roll of my tires, trundling the narrow wooden bridge, that spans the mountain stream — almost home.
Then parking, I’d turn off the motor, and crunch my way through fresh snow, as the front door opened. You’d come, bringing warmth — chai tea, and your loving arms.
*
rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: dVerse
Nature bends lovingly
bringing blessings
pure sky water
rains nurture
pacific northwest embraces
life in paradise slows
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Pressing Barn & Cellars”
by: rob kistner © 11/30/23
Original DDE™ surrealistic diptych: “Tasting The Batch”
by: rob kistner © 11/30/23
vineyards
bursting with grapes
surrendered to harvest
nectar of the gods
pours from press to barrel
autumn celebration rolls on
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Celebrating The Wine”
by: rob kistner © 11/30/23
*
rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: dVerse
The Secret
what I said was
don’t touch
go away
leave me be
while inside
I cried out
draw near
stay with me
you are light
you are pure
you are joy
you are free
I am not
I am dark
I am beast
can’t you see
without you
there is much
you can’t know
about me
The Revelation
I lived at the light’s edge
that pooled in the night
on the bleak back streets
of the sad brokenhearted
I hid in the anguish
of the loveless who cowered
in the dark nightmare alleys
of the lost and forgotten
I fed on the grief
of the mourners who wailed
for their horrific loss
in the ruins of death
this was my heartscape
black as mid-winter night
a lightless horizon
no glimmer of hope
trusting was toxic
no foothold for love
relations were carnage
scattered lifeless and cold
The Change
’til a beautiful being
eyes brilliant and true
approached from afar
bearing tinder of love
She showed me
I was paralyzed
by the giving in
the giving up
caught in anguish
with the loss of belief
when grip lets go of dreams
a graceful relationship
deftly ignited
and patiently tended
the fire gently stoked
afraid to come forward
I held outside the glow
but your kindness drew me
we stood by the blaze
with passion it roared
its light pierced my blackness
its heat thawed my soul
my cold heart was warmed
The Healing
you wrapped yourself ‘round me
gazed into my eyes
your giving kiss soft and serene
was the essence of healing
with you in my life
I am darkness removed
soaring and weightless
radiant and rising
vital and caring
my spirit’s renewed
illuminated wholly
by a new dawn of dreams
my essence is healed
Original DDE™ surrealistic diptych: “Dawn of New Dreams”
by: rob kistner © 11/29/23
*
rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: dVerse
I invite you to partake of this Peter Gabriel experience.
H e shattered her heart
spilled her wine of joy
then drank deep
the red red warm
no concern
he’d brought their love
to harm
he toasted every moment
whether great
or whether small
as if he triumphed
in his betrayal
he celebrated all
the crystal clanked
as it sang the pours
swirling bottom to the top
a captured cyclone
of canted pleasure
pouring would never stop
goblet and stemware
filled full measure
with this ruby
liquid treasure
he tasted
he drank
he danced
seeking love
his heart was empty
still so
her heart
was shattered
given time
so too would his be
rejecting honest words
he only wanted
to be flattered
he never learned
that trust and truth
are the things in life
that truly mattered
he sang sweet songs
to the nurtured grape
tried filling the years
with laughter
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Let It Flow”
by: rob kistner © 11/28/23
but all he harvested
were bitter tears
he’d not realized
what might come after
with their vintage love
now crushed and broken
he’d driven her
from their home
love’s bitter words
were cruelly spoken
so now he pours alone
the harmony to his song
went mute
now no one sings along
betraying love’s a ruthless study
with great pain he finally learned
now the presses all are broken
the barrels overturned
the corks are dry and brittle
strewn across the floors
the wine has spilled and puddled
now sadly no one pours
his heart broken
now bleeds burgundy
and mixes with his tears
the blessed nectar of the vine
has not been poured
for many years
Original DDE™ surrealistic diptych: “Winehouse Chaos”
by: rob kistner © 11/28/23
*
rob kistner © 2021
expanded revision © 11/28/23
Poetry at: d’Verse
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Tall Ship Sunset” by: rob kistner © 11/27/23
N ovember sunset
dances
through leafless trees
memories
drift to you
to that evening
of tall ships
in Beaufort Harbor
your artist’s eyes
dancing
among ship’s riggings
sketched abstract
by sundown
that moment
a beautiful still life
forever
in my heart
it was our last
*
rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: dVerse
scream-bringing hoard of twisted truth
zoom-zooming in this blue-black world
called forth to gorge in ghastly feast
first stir, they roust then gore the beast
distressing visions overflow
stabbing with a brain-jolt pierce
disgusting curiosities
brute-flung to hideousity
jerk and lunge these soul-cleaved demons
death scratch-scratching through doomsday’s door
perverted serendipity
they swarm in horrorifity
flaying bone-toed my synapses
hell’s fleshless hounds devour my peace
mind-ghouls shake and shiver me
oh gentle morne — deliver me
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Hell’s Hounds”
by: rob kistner © 11/26/23
*
rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: dVerse
Standing at water’s edge
gazing upstream
I marvel at the beauty
of this pristine stream
it rambles
in rippling white water
in crystal clarity
ever onward
gently
past these emerald climbs
that coddle it
keeping it safe
nudging it tirelessly
toward home
the timeless sea
I hear the lullaby
of this valley
a lilting song
of the peace
of the serenity
nestled soft
in its earthen embrace
captivated
I lift my head
listening
the breeze murmurs
whispering in the boughs
of the patient sentinels
ever watching at its banks
persistent in their vigil
just then
a zephyr wafts downstream
brushes my face
tosses my hair
and dances past me
round the bend
a hushed gasp
escapes my lips
like a prayer
I’m breathless
‘midst this beauty
my spirit
enthralled
*
rob kistner © 2023
Happy Thanksgiving
Poetry at: dVerse
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Connecting” by: rob kistner © 11/21/23
L etter by letter
word by word
I reach out
mindfully crafting impressions
from fingertips flow feelings
sculpting love
memory engaged
spirit enlivened
my thoughts ignite
my heart pours forth
I share
honest emotion
barriers down
longing for real connection
*
rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: dVerse
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Tethered To Her Dreams” by: rob kistner © 11/19/23
This child gazes wonderingly
into the crystalline stars
of this warm may night
she has captured the flower moon
on a silken string
held in fragile imagination
it’s bloomed full
this special night
that moon
and this girl
they hold in share
her dreams
her tomorrows
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “That Moon”
by: rob kistner © 11/19/23
tomorrows of colorful pails
on the ocean’s beach
festooned in starfish
and octopus
of the sweet taste of jam
on crustless bread
just a little
smudged on smiling cheeks
of lipstick smeared
on a giddy grin
stumbling t’ward the mirror
in mommy’s heels
of tea and cookies
with bear and bunny
mrs. whiskers
and with daddy
there will be crayons
training wheels
skinned knees
and tears kissed away
there will be hair curls
and chocolaty hands
smeared on party dresses
and stupid — pesty boys
what a joy she will know
lost in the world of pretend
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Imagination Lift Off”
by: rob kistner © 11/19/23
then the strum of awakening
will bring song
to the burgeoning young heart
the rhythm of spirit
that brings the thrill of dance
to young feet
that elevates
the courage of youth
that will help drive away
the awkwardness of youth
a backyard campfire
shared with friends
beneath a canopy
of forever stars
a shiny silver soccer trophy
received teary eyed
because 2nd place
was bittersweet
the big school dance
that first reveals
the sweetness
of a shy kiss
now new curiosity
about these boys
about her feelings
about her body
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Oh The Wonder”
by: rob kistner © 11/19/23
curiosity about her tomorrows
as the hands of time
circling round and round
carry her dreams
into the future
her ABC’s fall into words
into tools
empowering her
to communicate
to share her thoughts
to share her ideas
to influence
to move others
maybe be a poet
as she moves
eager and expectantly
t’ward the doors
opening on uncertainties
also on possibilities
but for now
this child
is safe
and loved
and filled with excitement
laughing
amazed
wishing
and wondering
intently about
that moon…
flower moon’s magic
blooms with imagination
bright future’s beyond
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Moon Curious”
by: rob kistner © 11/19/23
*
rob kistner © 2022
revised © 11/18/2023
More poetry at: dVerse
More poetry at: Poets & Storytellers
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Love’s Sin” by: rob kistner © 11/16/23
D o you think
you’re not still my slave
since digging yourself
from that earthen grave
since you sullied
your delicate hands
clawing up and out
of my bottom lands
do you think
you’re safe
think perhaps
that I don’t know
where you are
as you come and go
do you think
that I don’t feel you
with my every breath
that I don’t breathe you
do you not understand
that I hold your life
in my clenching hand
really – don’t you
do you think at all
foolish girl
anytime I want you
you are mine
anytime
you know I love you
you love me too
with a love uncommon
you know you do
don’t you
you are mine
it’s true
forever
you are not free
your every move
is known to me
your every thought
is mine to see
your every fear
mine to trigger
feel your terror
as it’s growing bigger
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Dark Love”
by: rob kistner © 11/16/23
I watch you walking
every dark late night
while I hide under
my dim street light
you will not know
whence I may come
I am the shadow
you are running from
the stranger hidden
across the street
the sudden sound
that startles you
from your sleep
so cling mindlessly
to your false hope
as ‘round your slender neck
my fingers grope
you think I’m mad
well that may be
but that’s too bad
for you
not me
you pray
they catch me
we’ll see
won’t we
your nightmare is
I’ll not be caught
well
that dream’s come true
for I will naught
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Dark Love’s Captive”
by: rob kistner © 11/16/23
you hope I make
a big mistake
dare a close call
risk my downfall
foolish girl
there is no risk
for I am brilliant
wicked cunning
you’ve felt my power
is it not stunning
does my magnificence
make you afraid
as staring in my eyes
you feel resistance fade
you will not see me
in the cold dark rain
but you feel me squirming
in your troubled brain
as I’m creeping quiet
from behind
to steal your mortal life
as I am so inclined
as terror shivers
up and down
your spine
remember always
you — are — mine
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Devil In A Downpour”
by: rob kistner © 11/16/23
*
rob kistner © 2021
edited rewrite © 2023
Poetry at: dVerse
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Dream Falls” by: rob kistner © 11/14/23
My back is bent deep
from life’s heavy load
my mind stumbles troubled
by all these forks in my road
my brow is fevered
I can’t find my mellow
I miss the aspen meadows
of crisp golden yellows
should you encounter me
wandering lost as a fawn
my countenance brittle
withered and drawn
know that my soul seeks
the song of the waters
my aching heart needs
be soothed in their arms
so deliver me to snow-melt
to high-mountain waters
sweep me swiftly away
in their crystal blue streams
tumble me joyishly laughing
in their rolling white rapids
then over a waterfall
grand as my dreams
splash me into the current
flow me past western red cedar
my body is ready
my spirit is eager
I will miss you my loves
but no tearful goodbyes
it’s your love I’ll remember
as I’m closing my eyes
so when I’ve grow weary
the final wish that I make
let my ashes ever join
with a deep mountain lake
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Deep Peace”
by: rob kistner © 11/14/23
*
rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: d’verse
Poetry at: WGO
Poetry at: Poets & Storytellers
Wisps of cloud
occasionally smudge
the sterling moon
an enthralling cacophony
of night
swaddles us
we gaze skyward
blissed
intoxicated
through the silver gilded
canopy of old growth
surrounding this clearing
deep in the forest
lushly savoring
the sensuous afterglow
of our moondance
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “White Gold Canopy”
by: rob kistner © 11/14/23
*
rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: d’verse
The moon
hung like a tear
above the horizon
my eyes
followed you
moving
into the moonlight
my gaze held fast
until there was nothing
no warning
of the bitter cold
setting upon my world
your last kiss
now remains
forever on my lips
*
rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: d’verse