The Keepers

The Keepers

•

from the spark of cognizance
at the dawn of awareness
through the ions of fire and conflict
forward past the dark times
beyond the ages of change
into these centuries of new growth
they have kept it

locked in their hearts
burning in their souls

the keepers of the secret

and now
on the threshold of actualization
realizations unfold

its safeguard is the catalyst
it must never be told

• • •

rob kistner © 2011


43 thoughts on “The Keepers”

    1. If I gave you any more of a hint Mary, the Secret may no longer enjoy the essential safeguard it requires to remain such — and the Keepers have deemed that most unwise… it’s the wonder that gives essence to your life, and it’s the pursuit that gives you purpose… 😉

  1. Like the mystery and the language of this one. What a wonderful secret you have created. Mine is about those questionable 15 minutes. Another kind of secret.

    Elizabeth

  2. Excellent poem. I wonder what is the wisdom that has been kept through the ages and why it should not be told. I love the air of mystery that you’ve given to this poem.

    1. Whoa, that is unnervingly eerie Amy — I had no knowledge of the story you just related when I wrote this poem… although the two are a bit different in that the purpose in your story is to keep the facts alive to ‘share’, and in my poem the goal is to keep ‘concealment’, I am nonetheless somewhat unsettled by the similarity of their essence — though in retrospect, the meaning of the term ‘keeper’ is such that I am not wholly surprised… thank you for sharing this my sharp little pencil… 😉

    2. Amy, there is an essential question (secret) at the very core of our existence, the answer to which is unknowable to us as temporal beings — but it is the persistent desire to know that has sparked our learning, and inspired us from the beginning, sustaining our quest for enlightenment. Some attempt an explanation that involves a god, a soul, as well as a place of ultimate revelation and permanent reward/punishment such as heaven/hell. However, I am unable to embrace this easy answer, or even to adopt a “belief” that we will ever have a personal answer — because we simply do not ‘know’. Nevertheless, I find the wonder of it all profoundly intriguing… 😉

  3. Like it Rob – a stress on responsibility as a keeper

    A special meaning as on of the characters in my novel carries the title of Keeper and this describes the role so well

    thanks for sharing with One Stop

    1. Fascinating question Gyanban, I had to think back to the writing phase. As is often the case with what I consider my ‘ecstatic’ verse, it is not so much a clear single image, but rather a moving visual feeling or awareness. My mind saw a rushing forward in time, periods and ages falling away, and sentient beings hurtling through this slipstream grappling with this overpowering question, “WHY?” — and a huddle of ‘wise’ entities in hushed exchange, concurring that the answer must remain concealed so as not to disrupt the continuum. It was not clear to me if the answer would ever be revealed, as though infinity pivoted on its safeguard…!

  4. I am such a fan of secrets. Not the secrets kept, but the secrets treasured, the ones that make us deeply who we are. I realize some of those are powerful, painful, and safer shared, but your piece seems to tell a more wonderous story. Enjoyed this very much. Thank you.

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