“Questions about age and wisdom…”
Original DDE™ art: “Light Across The Lake” by: rob kistner © 2/19/26
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what first captures the eye
the quick brightness of youth
or the effortless grace of wisdom
who turns toward a beautiful face
and does not see and feel
the brief advantage it carries
how long can beauty
trade on charm
before the market closes
when beauty fades from the mirror
does perception sharpen
with that distraction lifted
what useful is learned
when the mirror no longer
negotiates on our behalf
who learns the weight of silence
the usefulness of patience
the mercy hidden in restraint
what radiance grows from endurance
from losses carried
and kindness chosen anyway
Original DDE™ art: “Waiting“ by: rob kistner © 2/21/26
what seasons wait
invisibly within the bones
patient as seeds beneath winter soil
is there a wisdom
carried in weathered hands
remembering storms skin forgot
who hears the deeper music
that follows grief, love, mistakes—
and the long labor of forgiveness
is there a steady voice
when pummeled by grief
then left shrouded in sorrow
is youth a bright candle
and age a shielded lamp
held against the winds of time
looking back ‘cross the lake of time
was youthful beauty the moon on the water
and aged wisdom the light on the dock
when the years
finish their accounting
what is priceless that remains
<~>
rob kistner © 2/19/26
I dare you to listen to Joni here and not shed a tear…