Original DDE™ quadart: “Winederland” by: rob kistner © 10/30/25
—-<§>—-
between equinox and solstice
the vines lean heavy
their tendrils jeweled with dusk
of Pacific Northwest sundowns
in the hush before harvest
the valleys and the foothills
glow with a slow intoxication—
the air itself tastes of promise
grape clusters
swell to bursting
skins deepening to blue black
violet
golden green —
god fire…
the pulp’n leaves
of gold rust and tan
whisper of endings
they have learned to love
a red hawk drifts high over the foothills
its shadow cutting through sweetness
soon careful knowing hands
will gather this fruit of dreams
then crush these sun-orbs of summer
to pour into waiting vats of oak
wood that has known decades of secrets
echoing with fermentation’s hymn
to cradle it until the magic happens
until… “It’s Alive” *
the scent will rise—
earth — berry — yeast and miracle —
it will spill into the cool night
like incense from a slow prayer
somewhere a vintner hums softly
listening for the first stir of magic
that moment when juice becomes spirit
and labor becomes art
I watch the valley breathe
vineyard and vision
in a dance I understand—
we too are grapes ripening
toward some unseen wine
pressed by time
aged by longing
becoming…even now
something divine —
blessed here in this paradise
—-<§>—-
* Victor Frankenstein, Frankenstein (1931)
rob kistner © 10/30/25
Poetry at: dVerse
Original DDE™ art: “Love’s Sustain” by: rob kistner © 10/30/25