Lost Meditations

EA50D2AC-D8B2-48C4-BF8F-515D1941A438

 
Lost Meditations

~

lost meditations resurface
in these november years

reflections of mysteries once pondered
beauty beheld
of veiled truth pursued

in quiet depth
disturbed only by faint breath
beckoning me inward
to the bright center of joy

where a flutter of understanding
in a snap-flash of oneness
shudders me conscious
in shivering anticipation
of that which is not known

that which cannot be named
in the twilight of this finite
as threads of evermore
bind fast my dreams
to carry them onward
effortlessly

I gently surrender
as lost meditations resurface
in my november years

~ ~ ~

rob kistner © 2008
(revision © 2018)

__________________

  • Click here to read more poetry at dVerse
  • Reaper Groom

    A MURDER MYSTERY

    I’ve always been fascinated by who-done-it’s and classic horror stories, so I was inspired to write this piece with a ‘retro’ gothic feel.

    Lyle, the socially awkward, seemingly milquetoast villain of this tale has a ‘killer’ obsession. A shy, mild-mannered church organist; he is ‘changed’ into a murdering menace — by loneliness and rejection.

    BE WARNED: This poem, and the collage I created to accompany it, are both a bit graphic — in a noir-tongue-in-cheek sort of way.

    I invite you to enjoy, “Reaper Groom”.

    reaper-groom500d.jpg

    collage above entitled: “Thief of Hearts” — by: rob kistner © 2008

    ___________

    Reaper Groom

    ~

    backlit by a lightening flash
    a figure scurried ‘cross the yard
    between the gravestones he did dash
    head down low, and running hard

    dressed in cape of velvet black
    he seemed to vanish from our sight
    but then we saw him double back
    he would not escape tonight

    elusive as a demon’s shadow
    ghost-like — he could disappear
    but no more, this scourge of sorrow
    finally, we were drawing near

    surround and capture, was the plan
    the hounds had tracked him to this place
    this had to be our wanted man
    though none had seen his evil face

    we were sworn to bring him down
    bloodthirsty was this man — and cruel
    he’d caused such horror in our town
    if he escaped, we’d look the fool

    the target of our townsfolk’s hate
    he must be caught this beast of doom
    he’d killed so many brides to date
    we knew him as the “Reaper Groom”

    he took the lives of countless bride
    murdered them by dark of night
    once betrothed they couldn’t hide
    death was sure to be their plight

    marriage took an awful blow
    as one by one our maidens fled
    our bachelors’ ire began to grow
    there were no wives to share their bed

    this had to stop — no maids for men
    it wasn’t natural, wasn’t right
    this curse would never be again
    it would end, right here, tonight

    we had him cornered in our net
    he’d not escape our clutch this time
    he owed this town an awful debt
    he’d pay quite dearly for his crime

    we closed in slowly, with great care
    we’d make sure he couldn’t run
    we deftly caught him in our snare
    and gathered round him, every one

    we took him roughly in this place
    and chained him to a stony block
    and brought a torch to light his face
    then gasped, and staggered back in shock

    this couldn’t be, not this poor fool
    this shy man of timid smile
    we sought a monstrous evil ghoul
    this was bashful lonely Lyle

    Lyle played organ every Sunday
    and lead the hymns, as we would sing
    our fiend escaped, we’d get him one day
    and when we did, for sure he’d swing

    it wasn’t Lyle, it was another
    Lyle was not the type, you see
    Lyle lived with his aging mother
    so we’d set lonely Lyle free

    but Lyle spoke up in quiet voice
    don’t turn me lose, please, I forbid it
    you see you really have no choice
    cause I’m your man, that’s right, I did it

    I killed these maidens everyone
    I’ve charged this town a heavy toll
    but my spree is over, I won’t run
    this weigh’s too heavy on my soul

    sentenced to hanging at his trial
    Lyle was shortly going to die
    looking sadly stern at Lyle
    the judge inquired of him why

    had he slain all this beauty
    made so many families cry
    he felt an answer was his duty
    so this was Lyle’s cold reply

    for many years I’d been denied
    until my soul was heavy laden
    god knows how often I had tried
    to win the love of a fair young maiden

    I was so consumed with bitter grief
    that, though I’ve caused much pain and strife
    this was my only true relief
    to take from them their tender life

    as mama’s words rang in my head
    I’d cut out their precious part
    there’s more than one way, mama said
    to steal a lovely lady’s heart

    ~ ~ ~
    rob kistner © 2008

    Rebel Rebel

    …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”.

    So Many Gifts

    NaPoMo poem #29

    This is the twenty ninth and the penultimate of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.

    This poem is a tongue-in-cheek, but well intentioned look at life’s many gifts, inspired by prompt #29 at read write poem.

    • NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.

     

    So Many Gifts

    •

    we were granted
    many gifts
    when we arrived
    here in this life

    perhaps the most precious
    is the gift of family

    to endure
    the gift of family
    and any other calamity
    we were bestowed
    the gift of courage
    the gift of patience
    is a part of this

    now when we require
    more reinforcement
    we have the useful
    gift of friends

    should all these gifts
    prove just too much
    there is the gift
    of nature’s beauty

    if we overdose
    on all things tranquil
    the fallback gift
    is our creative spark

    to prevent this gift
    from being wasted
    we have literature
    music and art

    and to preserve
    dark karmic balance
    we’ve been blessed
    with the critique clique

    finally we come
    to this the greatest
    of all the gifts
    that we possess
    and that gift being
    the gift of love

    though we enjoy
    all of these gifts
    life still can be
    quite tough at times

    but don’t despair
    no
    don’t lose hope

    some secret gifts
    have we been granted
    to give us strength
    and keep us going

    the first of these
    our sense of wonder
    and hand in hand
    our sense of awe

    and should all else falter
    there is the failsafe
    the secret weapon
    our sense of humor

    but please take heed
    keep careful watch
    if you lose this latter
    my friend
    you’re screwed

    • • •

    rob kistner © 2009

    ___________________________

    • you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem

     

    Seven Red

    NaPoMo poem-set #28

    This is the twenty eighth day of poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.

    This set of seven haiku were inspired by the read write poem NaPoWriMo prompt #28, “Seeing Red”.

    • NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.

     

    Seven Red

    •

    inquiries of heart
    from summer red lover’s lips
    float like butterflies

    •

    green leaves on blue pond
    float in golden summer sun
    red bird softly sings

    •

    golden sun burns bright
    scorching the red rock canyon
    Sedona summer

    •

    eyes red from crying
    words cannot be taken back
    she will leave today

    •

    a ruby droplet
    the yellow rose bears sharp thorns
    we will share red wine

    •

    path forked this spring morne
    white-tails chose tall trees instead
    redwoods are safety

    •

    spring snow-pack’s melting
    fresh mountain stream tumbles clear
    under red maples

    • • •

    rob kistner © 2009

    ___________________________

    • you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem

     

    Unexpected

    NaPoMo poem #27

    This is the twenty seventh of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.

    This poem is an edited rewrite of a older poem of mine and was inspired by a moving personal experience, offered here in response to the NaPoWriMo Wordle prompt #27 at read write poem.

    • NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.

     

    Unexpected

    •

    unquestionable joy
    in a place most unexpected
    the crystalline eyes of an innocent
    cruel society deems disabled

    bent and stooped
    impossibly twisted
    confined to constant care
    and his rolling metal chair

    a hardscrabble life
    that would drive a lesser soul
    to lunacy

    but his gentle eyes reflect a wonder
    my jaded heart has long since lost
    by arrogance extinguished

    his timeless spirit knows only trust
    it pours forth from his being

    positioned close and cozy
    to the modest stage
    he is enraptured by the music
    engulfed within the rhythm

    enthralled by this magic
    he is beaming
    like an angel

    the band plays fast
    the band plays slow
    the band plays loud
    the band plays low

    he rocks forward
    he rolls backward
    waves in jubilation
    and launches heart and soul
    into a wicked shoulder wiggle
    as he vibrates unabashed
    with pure delight

    the veins of his neck
    stand out full and proud
    as he tosses back his head
    uninhibited in laughter
    tears of joy
    leaking down his cheeks

    his person full alive
    his essence full aware
    his nascent bliss aglow
    he is wholly in the now

    he is filled with every note
    wrapped up in the cadence
    sparked by the drumbeat
    thrilled by every nuance

    he experiences an ecstasy
    at which I can only marvel
    its clarity and power I can never know

    it’s at this moment
    that I realize
    how much I do not understand

    as I behold this able man

    faint envy stirs
    watching his unbridled joy

    so complete
    and unexpected

    • • •

    rob kistner © 2009

    ___________________________

    • you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem

     

    Becoming

    NaPoMo poem #26

    This is the twenty sixth of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.

    This is my second metaphysical poem in two days, and was inspired by the NaPoWriMo prompt # 26 at read write poem.

    • NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.

     

    Becoming

    •

    as is the spark of birth
    the burst of a seed
    the first ray of dawn
    the tug of love wakening
    the moment of humility
    the pen to blank page

    so is the essence of becoming

    • • •

    rob kistner © 2009

    ___________________________

    • you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem

     

    Being Now

    NaPoMo poem #25

    This is the twenty fifth of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.

    This was inspired by a prompt at read write poem to write a “how to” about something difficult to do.

    • NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.

     

    Being Now

    •

    step gently through the dream-gate

    take hold the strand continuum

    ride the light that carries you

    to the is, was, the will be

    transcendence moment

    when the all is one

    in the perfection

    of pure being

    here now

    alive

    ∞

    • • •

    rob kistner © 2009

    ___________________________

    • you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem

     

    Dissonance

    NaPoMo poem #24-A

    This is poem twenty-four-A of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.

    This, like poem #24, is also about a poet struggling with inspiration, trying to block out the night noises and cacophony that surrounds him on a hot sticky night.

    • NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.

     

    Dissonance

    •

    relentless whir
    in cycled pulse
    drones overhead

    coarse whisper from above
    promises relief
    in vain

    blades disturb page edges
    at rest before me

    in irregular rustle they taunt

    impatient
    untouched

    no burden of remorse
    no weight of mystery
    do they bear

    no sting of anger
    no wink of mirth
    with which to be dispatched

    no coin of phrase to spend

    dissonance
    spills through the open window
    the buzz, chirr, and leggy rasp
    muffled keens
    distant yelps

    the edgy din of crawling
    prowling night

    intrudes in damp insistence
    to fill my head
    and leave not one small space
    for wit or insight

    all in vain
    there is no relief

    nothing clever
    or profound
    in the air this night

    hot, sticky, thick

    uninspired

    • • •

    rob kistner © 2009

    ___________________________

    • you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem

     

    Fashion Faux Pas

    NaPoMo poem #23

    This is the twenty third of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.

    This is a bit of whimsy inspired by the read write poem NaMoWriMo prompt #23, “a different hat”.

    • NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.

     

    Fashion Faux Pas

    (‘hoot’ couture)

    •

    I see you smirking at my hat
    it’s aluminum foil – imagine that
    it helps with my cell phone reception
    and fascinates my cat

    keeps UV rays off my bald cranium
    collects morning dew for my geraniums
    makes me invisible to radar
    and impervious to uranium

    when wearing it I’m seen from space
    the reflection helps conceal my face
    when raining it will never rust
    it’s aerodynamic if I run a race

    it made my paper’s style page
    and it will soon be all the rage
    the good news — one size fits all
    and it’s great to line your birdcage

    so don’t make fun of my chapeau
    it’s great for people on the go
    and quite handy if you’re grilling out
    or wrapping take home from the bistro

    a tip in closing I will bestow
    don’t use tin, it’s crass and low
    folks will stare and shake their head
    tin is such a fashion ‘no’

    • • •

    rob kistner © 2009

    ___________________________

    • you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem

     

    For Granted

    NaPoMo poem #22

    This is twenty second of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.

    This poem is an homage to Gaia, our mother earth, in celebration of Earth Day 2009. Embedded within this free verse poem are a trio of haiku, each focused at our earth.

    • NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.

     

    Earth Day 2009

    For Granted

    •

    you prepare for sleep
    each night

    consciously
    or unconsciously

    confident of gravity

    that it will keep you
    anchored
    in your bed

    snug in your bed

    that you won’t wake
    to find yourself
    having floated off

    now entangled
    in the sweeping branches
    of the willow
    in the backyard

    that wonderful weeping willow
    always bending
    and swaying

    like some sinewy
    sap-laden
    great elephant

    trundling
    great elephant

    trundling
    and swaying

    on the lookout
    for water
    in the arid
    african bush

    such majestic
    mysterious
    beautifully dangerous bush

    in africa
    the amazing dark continent

    with zebras
    and giraffes
    and lions

    and of course
    elephants

    in africa
    in the earth’s
    southern hemisphere

    and all of this
    kept firmly aground
    by earth’s gravity

    pretty astounding
    when you consider

    earth hurtles through space
    eighty times the speed of sound
    racing toward hope

    our frail earth needs hope
    desperately it needs help
    it is in trouble

    our earth’s crying out
    it’s balance has been disturbed
    we humans don’t hear

    all we ever think about
    is bed

    money and bed

    and gravity

    and then
    often only in passing

    when we’re not
    simply
    taking it for granted

    the earth
    and all these incredible things
    for granted

    • • •

    rob kistner © 2009

    ___________________________

    • you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem

     

    Our Dreams

    NaPoMo poem #21

    This is twenty first of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.

    This poem is a wedding prayer inspired by the read write poem NaMoWriMo prompt #21, “rite of passage”.

    • NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.

     

    Our Dreams

    (a wedding prayer)

    •

    we place our dreams in our open palms
    so the winds of fortune
    will make them soar

    we bless our dreams with the gift of song
    so their chords are sweet
    and their sound is pure

    we bestow our dreams the wings of faith
    so they lift and carry
    to wisdom’s shore

    we unite our dreams this blessed day
    so love will bind them
    forevermore

    • • •

     

    rob kistner © 2009

    ___________________________

    • you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem

     

    Spellbound

    NaPoMo poem #20

    This is the twentieth of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.

    • NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.

     

    This poem was inspired by the image below entitled “The Bride Wore Red”, by Pareeerica

    Spellbound

    •

    scarlet lady in crimson silk
    a beauty to mesmerize
    sculpted by a master’s hand
    so seductive as to scandalize

    a stare of comely crystal blue
    floats above a ruby pout
    spellbound by her magic eyes
    she holds your soul with no way out

    her tongue tip teases her top lip’s edge
    like a supple paintbrush flowing
    her smile will pierce and hypnotize
    then wrap around you knowing

    you are now her helpless captive
    quite hopelessly addicted
    in the velvet grip of her mystery
    is she an angle or is she wicked

    • • •

    rob kistner © 2009

    ___________________________

    • you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem

     

    I will Not Forget

    NaPoMo poem #19

    This is the nineteenth of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.

    This poem is an edited rewrite of an older poem I’d written, but not completed to my satisfaction. Today’s prompt brought such deep feelings flooding into my heart, I was compelled to revisit the draft of this work and bring it to a fitting completion. I am very pleased with how it has turned out.

    • NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.

     

    I Will Not Forget

    (rappelé toujours)

    •

    there are days I still can feel
    the breeze of youth gently stir my soul

    days remembered of grace and lightness
    when faith in truth sparked splendid dreams

    those days of you

    when all we touched was fresh and new
    and the world was full of wonder

    when we were certain we’d live forever
    our strength made each day a great adventure

    those carefree days

    the days we witnessed one for the other
    as we made vows to our chosen life mates
    raised our children
    grew our careers
    our families close through these days of joy

    but not these days

    I’ve grown unyielding
    rigidly braced
    against the winds of time and fate

    my soul is rooted in life’s demands
    I search its blessings
    curse its burdens

    these brittle days

    I am bent by the yoke of worry
    heavy with the weight of loss

    I am haunted by the ghost of memory
    the lonely days when I think of you

    these empty days

    how can this void be filled
    when one so vital has departed

    this world was denied much wit and wisdom
    kindness and love lost
    when you passed

    how can this void be filled
    when one so rich in these is gone

    one who understood the need for giving
    in a careless world darkened by greed

    a tender heart
    truly unselfish
    whose warm embrace included all

    how can this void be filled
    when a brilliant light has been snuffed out

    I will not forget

    I will remember you
    and all those days
    that’s how I will fill this void

    with the seeds of friendship
    you planted deep inside my heart
    now filled with grief

    may they grow to make me gentler
    and me — the world a better place

    good-bye my friend

    ever will I tend these seeds
    and think of you

    I will not forget

    • • •

     

    rob kistner © 2009

    ___________________________

    • you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem