Through an open, where no curtain hung — I saw you…
Original DDE™ art: “Many Paths” by: rob kistner © 12/8/25
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When Elias returned to the valley after forty years, nothing had changed except him. The houses sagged in their same crooked ways, and the river still braided silver ribbons through the pines. But the mountain—his mountain—waited with the stillness of something that had been watching all along.
He stood at its base, breath misting in the cold.
“The granites and schists of my dark and stubborn country,” he said aloud, tasting the old words his father once recited, “have not forgotten me.”
A faint vibration answered, subtle as a heartbeat felt through earth. Elias stepped closer. Memory rose from the ground—his childhood footprints, his mother’s laughter, the echo of a boy’s unbroken hope.
“I thought I was lost,” he whispered, choking back years of tears.
The mountain offered no comfort, only presence.
Yet somehow, that was enough to bring him home.
rob kistner © 12/8/25
This song I consider to be one of the most stunningly beautiful, and yet, most devastatingly sad songs ever written… the depth of Balin’s lyrics and the fragile delicacy of the performance are masterful!! …and the Rickie Lee Jones performance below will break your heart, if it is not already broken…
Wonderful, Rob! There’s such a sense of peace in this. And using the lines as a quote is best way to do it!
Thank you Merril… 🙂
This is absolutely beautiful! I do think you should offer this for publication to a cite that publishes flash fiction. It is intriguing an somehow gives me a sense of peace just reading it.
Thank you so much Lillian… 🙂 What a kind and generous gesture of encouragement thing to say my friend. I have enjoyed a resurgence of my writing interest and inspiration, after a very difficult end of 2024 and early 2025.
Excellent story, Rob, and paired with the music and lyrics it works so well.
Thanks Lisa, I’m pleased this resonated for you my friend… 😉
Very intrrrsting Rob
Muchlove
Thanks Gilldna.
I love the sense of returning, the way the landscape brought back his childhood… it does not always have to be beautiful… it could just be a place of memories.
Hi Björn. — It is usually the, first place upon we imprint as home. It is seldom the place, or only the place. It is the mental files of memories that imprints as “home”. For me it was arriving in Oregon City in 1990 that created a second imprinting of home for me. It was the deepest imprinting in my life.
Home is home, no matter how dark and stubborn it might be – well said Rob…
Home again home again — jigady jig… as the toy soldier in Blade runner used to say… 🙂
I am interested in talking to Kathy about her Fiber art as I am writing about fabrics and fibres for the A to Z Challenge 2026 – if she is interested in corresponding I am at humanist55@gmail.com
I will approach her regarding this Andrew, I know an would find it a joy, but she is still dealing with the longterm fallout from her throat cancer, and related surgeries, teeth extractions, trying to get damned dentures to work out… as well a number of medications. Not only does all this make speaking difficult, it tires her out very quickly. She used to speak with her family back in Ohio a few times weekly — long chats (big Midwest fam). Even that she keeps to a maybe once a week, and calls are for very limited time. She has not been able to do one of her beloved juried art shows last or this year. I know the posting for A-Z doesn’t begin until April. Perhaps the beginning of the year, February, might work fif. She Loves to talk fiberart, so maybe then Andrew. I will gently keep the idea afloat with her my friend, 🙂
This is beautiful, Rob. Filled with love.
Thank very much Dale… 😉
This really does what you claim the songs do (and they do) this is a mighty piece Rob.
Thank you Paul, I am glad you feel it… 🙂