Original DDE™ art: “Undaunted” by: rob kistner © 2/26/26
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rain needles the canvas dome
each drop a small drumbeat
on the skin of air
the balloon heaves upward — stubborn
ropes creaking like old timbers
but the integrity of form holds
he stands in the wicker cradle—
bearded, bald, rainslicked
eyes narrowed against the lash of sky
lightning stitches white fire
through torn gray clouds—
threading the world to its danger
he lifts his fist into the thunder
not in wasted anger
but in absolute refusal to yield
wind shoves the craft sideways—
the burner roars back
a furnace answering the storm
below rivers and fields dissolve into shadow
roads vanish like unfinished sentences
the earth relinquishing its claim
the land breaks into rocks and black water
the far ridge an edge he must cross
no place to settle, no safe step offered
he has a critical crossing to make
a promise tied somewhere beyond
this wall of rain and noise
water drips from his glasses and beard
cold threads his jaw flesh and mouth
a line drawn firm and steady against retreat
fear moves through him like a ghost
old doubts rising from some left behind life
a scrap of doubt trying to take hold
the wicker basket shudders and trembles
the wind turns wild — chaotic
still he stands
he rises — bold as flame
carried through fracture and flash—
undaunted by the sky’s fierce argument
beyond the storm’s torn veil
somewhere past the roaring dark
the promise waits — calling him on
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rob kistner © 2/26/26