To Remain

To Remain

moonlight
keeps dark at bay
pressing in
as night wind stirs

like mocking breath
of life now lost
to light-less realm
beyond the chill
encircling me

empty
to remain

no emotion
save grief

apples spilled
on broken stair
where rail eluded
grasping hand

no voice came
to futile cry

those lips
will not know again
sweet fruit

nor love

• • •

rob kistner © 2008

15 Responses to “To Remain”

  1. black coffee Says:

    thats a lovely verse there! it is indeed a triumph for one to have survived a loss like that.

  2. totomai Says:

    this is particularly haunting and melancholic. but this poem delivers reality of moving on despite how sad / hurtful it is..

  3. Gemma Says:

    Rob - This is a seering but beautiful piece. It is almost like a living, breathing painting.

    Gemma

  4. gautami tripathy Says:

    …apples spilled
    on broken stair
    where rail eluded
    grasping hand…

    I love this. And your original blog too!

    sleeping beauty

  5. lucy Says:

    wonderful yet such a sad verse Rob. I imagine it to be an older woman who spilled those apples as the rail gave way. I see her in a long tattered house coat with her hair in a bun. (you never need to post pictures with your vivid words my friend!)

  6. texasblu Says:

    *SOB*

  7. rambler Says:

    hose lips
    will not know again
    sweet fruit

    nor love

    lovely ending..

  8. Tammy Says:

    Hi Rob, I actually did WI and SS this week…yeah!

    Loved the moonlight to darkness and the ending reminded me how quick it can all go away. Nice!

  9. watermaid Says:

    This definitely warrants re-reading. The tone is so controlled, held in, chill, almost too smooth with a suggestion of what might of been in the ’spilled apples’ and ’sweet fruit’.

    I like the clean cut look of your re-designed blog - a perfect way to combine the sophistication of black with an easy to read format.

  10. Jeques Says:

    Rob,

    Your words played a movie in my mind as I read this poem. It is moving and the after taste tinged with sadness slowed my heart. It is affecting.

    I wish you well.

    ~ Jeques

    Postscripts: I like your blog’s new look. refined and glossy, a perfect place for your great works!

  11. Anthony North Says:

    Beautiful in its sadness.

  12. Fledgling Poet Says:

    This was beautiful…I always enjoy reading your poems aloud. Lovely!

  13. Seher Says:

    wonderful yet sad and very BEAUTIFUL :)

    take a peek into mine at
    Lost Without Losing

  14. Granny Smith Says:

    Sad and lovely. Those spilled apples are heart-breaking. Were they to be an apple pie?

  15. danni Says:

    cool new look! — this post speaks loudly to my own grief and sadness, sooo moving!!!

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