Rebel Rebel

Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Image, Poetry, Rants & Rambles, art, wisdom

…I republish this piece today in fond memory of John…

 

“we all shine on, like the moon, and the stars, and the sun”

 

Rebel Rebel

•

I’ll not listen
not be shackled
not be handled
not be ruled

I’ll not be managed
nor be played
manipulated
or be fooled

you sure as hell
will not tell
me

who
what
where
when
how

or why

what you offer
I’m not taking

your extended hand
I am not shaking

the world I walk
is of my making

and

I will not have it
any other way

your iron fist
I destroyed it

your sage advice
I avoid it

you can
rant
rave
condemn
and preach

your approval
I do not beseech

I seek only
my good counsel

I’ll not succumb
to might
or muscle

not be swayed
by your slick hustle

I am a man
of my own mind

and I will live
as my own man

this is all
I want to be

well-traveled
loved

and free

• • •

rob kistner © 2008

_____________________

image at top entitled: “Lennon”

10/9/40 - 12/8/80

• • •

 

…inspired by writing prompt #54, found at “readwritepoem”.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Permalink | Comments (10) | Dec 8, 2011

10 Responses to “Rebel Rebel”

  1. Sweet Talking Guy.. Says:
    November 27th, 2008 at 7:45 am

    Love this Rob! The whole thing is like a statement of faith! And to die free, what a great thought!

    (I was just writing something with Lennon in the title too.)

  2. Anthony North Says:
    November 27th, 2008 at 8:15 am

    It is the way to be. Excellently expressed. Mindst you, Lennon became a little bit less of a rebel this week. The Vatican has just forgiven him for saying The Beatles were more popular than Jesus.

  3. Richard Says:
    November 27th, 2008 at 9:17 am

    Hey Rob, that was a good one. Shapely, as they say. And it was this time of year, wasn’t it. Oy!

  4. Philip Thrift Says:
    November 27th, 2008 at 2:14 pm

    Nice John Lennon homage.

    Ev’rybody’s talkin’ ’bout
    John and Yoko, Timmy Leary, Rosemary,
    Tommy Smothers, Bobby Dylan, Tommy Cooper,
    Derek Taylor, Norman Mailer, Allen Ginsberg, Hare Krishna
    Hare Hare Krishna
    All we are saying is give peace a chance

  5. Paul Squires Says:
    November 27th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

    That’s a very cool skipping along poem song of freedom.

  6. carolee Says:
    November 27th, 2008 at 7:03 pm

    “to die
    well-bedded
    traveled
    happy
    loved

    and free”

    ahhh. what a wish!

  7. Jeeves Says:
    November 27th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    I like the way words have been fit, the shape of poem is also nice.

  8. Annamari Says:
    November 28th, 2008 at 10:59 am

    to be above and beyond the rules..yeap, what I mighty wish…

  9. Rob Kistner Says:
    November 28th, 2008 at 11:55 pm

    STG -

    I appreciate the compliment…

    …rob

  10. Brad Frederiksen Says:
    November 30th, 2008 at 2:15 am

    Excellent pace and expression, me thinks. Your blog is rather enticing now that I am here. Looking forward to spending some time exploring.

Leave a Reply