Swept Away

  • A bluesman’s life and soul: “Music gives me goose-bumps, especially when created from the heart, by a genuine human spirit…”

    • swept-away.jpg

     
    Swept Away

    (- REDUX 2019 -)

    ~

    memphis red
    no longer is

    gray now shines
    from a balding head
    filled with scarlet embers

    memories still burn
    a fired spirit

    too deep for coddled mortals
    to fully fathom

    red is real
    red is legend

    his tales of pain
    of injustice
    the lore of the big muddy

    his eyes
    earthy brown
    turbulent as that river

    his stare
    a deep current
    impossible to escape
    you’re swept away

    his voice
    a tempered edge
    honed by blues

    broadleaf husky
    thick as sorghum
    smooth as beale street bourbon

    the cf martin
    swings from a leathered neck
    on a tattered strap
    stretched and shaped
    by the heft of sorrow
    poured into the soundhole

    marked and scarred
    by years of burden
    of witness

    its character and patina
    bear testament
    to a genuine soul

    cracked and seasoned hands
    reach with suffered care
    to wrap the fingerboard
    in love

    callused digits
    yellowed by habit
    depress taut strands
    no longer catgut

    blood and bone
    grip
    connect
    sculpting emotions

    true life
    ensnared in sitka spruce
    and spiraled steel

    knowing strains rise
    chords of loss

    rhythmic stomp
    stinging verse
    of broken promise
    failed love

    of dirt field
    cruel street
    back alley
    of harsh wisdom

    resonate to fill this space
    to break my heart
    to steal my soul

    swept away

    ~ ~ ~

    rob kistner © 2007

    __________________________

    photo rendering above entitled: “Knowing”
    rendered by: rob kistner © 2007

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    96 thoughts on “Swept Away”

    2. Gary –

      Thank you!

      I was online here when you posted.  Do you have a blog or website?  I would enjoyed visiting.

      Reply

    8. Jennifer –

      Thank you for the very kind words… 😉

      I was projecting just a touch of myself into the character — creatively interpolating, as seemed appropriate, to ‘season’ Red’s personality in context.

      Reply

    11. Awesome poem! Very soulful, and befitting of the subject matter. It is good to be reminded the blues were born from genuine pain, sorrow and social injustice. The real deal bears no resemblance to The Blue Brothers, a beer commercial or some third rate cover band playing on Bourbon street. Thanks for a great post!

      Reply

    12. Herb –

      Thank you for your gracious words my friend! 😉

      …and you are welcome.

      Yes, when I’m listening to a genuine blues master, telling of his/her life, the triumphs, the trials, the joy, the pain — it gives me goosebumps… because it’s REAL. It’s the shit and grit. It is the authentic story of true life in America, in this land of opportunity (but only for a handful). It ain’t some spoiled fool from the suburbs ‘feigning it’ for the money.

      Reply

    14. FP –

      I am pleased you enjoyed your listening experience, and thank you for your very kind words… 😉

      Music is like a direct conduit between souls — emotion stirring… and a great source of goosebumps!

      I enjoyed your blog. Very tasteful!

      Reply

    16. Regina –

      Wow… Thank you very much… 😉

      Your enthusiasm is humbling.

      I hope you husband enjoys my piece as well…

      Reply

    23. Rob.

      I’m sitting here in complete awe…….tears rolling down my face. That was so powerfully beautiful…….you captured his soul….you shared yours. I’m mind blown.

      You gave me goosebumps, and am grateful.

      gotta go find a kleenex now.

      Reply

    24. Awareness –

      Thank you for your authentic human reaction… I am humbled, and most grateful that this piece impacted you!

      These blues masters are piercingly real, and often remarkably gentle souls. They’ve usually lived life from the other side of our looking glass — and have the scars and tales to share, and to wring your heart… if you will listen.

      Reply

    26. I read your poem before I listened to your reading and the depth and fullness of your voice, plus the bumpers of music enriched the poem. I’ll have to keep coming back to look for other recordings of you reading stuff. Your reading is precise and full. You sing the poem.

      Reply

    27. I think that’s why the blues AND your poem resonates with me. I work with human beings who live in the margins of our community. Their lives and scars are visibly real. Part of my job is to visit them in their homes where I am often honoured to hear their stories…sometimes I’m the first to hear it. I learn far more from them than I they do from me…..because the blues is their life and they live openly vulnerable.

      It’s all in the listening.

      Reply

    30. Raymond Pert –

      Thank you for your gracious words!

      Please come and click on the Visceral Voice icon in the right sidebar of my blog. It will take you to all the “spoken word” recordings I currently have posted.

      Thank you for catching my typo… 😉

      Reply

    34. Robin –

      Thank you, I’m pleased you were touched! 😉

      Welcome to the SS group! Hope you become a regular…

      Reply

    36. January –

      Thank you! I’m pleased you enjoyed the poem… 😉

      I tried to capture the bittersweet spirit of the blues, the spirit of Memphis, to honor the heart and soul… the gist of a blues master — without appearing pretentious, or having the piece become cartoonish, or a two-dimensional caricature.

      I love creating the “spoken word” performances! It takes me back to years of being in bands — writing, recording, mixing… it is a source of great joy for me.  I’m glad you liked the work!

      Reply

    40. Gill –

      Thank you for your gracious words!

      Glad you enjoyed the recorded reading — it is a great pleasure for me to create these.

      Reply

    41. Wow, the reading of your poem gave me goosebumps =) I think you captured the blues experience – for both performer and audience – really well.

      Reply

    42. I just rented “Black Snake Moan” with Sammuel L Jackson and you truly nailed the blues! Excellent poem and even better with the audio…wow!

      Reply

    44. Tammy –

      Wow — that was an intense movie.

      Glad you liked this my friend… 😉

      The recordings are a blast to create!

      Reply

    46. swept away… I was blown away
      the words alone would have been enough
      your voice added depth and resonance
      quite wonderful

      thank you for visiting me too

      ann

      Reply

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