Original DDE™ art: “Sky Ship” — by: rob kistner © 3/23/26
—-<§>—-
we do not rise…
the earth
simply releases us
ropes fall slack
hands loosen
gravity forgets our name
flame takes the helm —
and suddenly…
we are a thought
the sky decides to keep
below us
the cliffs break open
into wonder and memory
the ocean
thunders without asking
and we
drift —
…not forward
…not back
but into…
into a silence
so deep
so complete
it feels like transcendence
the burner speaks
in brief flames
then disappears again —
as if even fire
respects this height
you do not steer here
you listen —
…to currents you cannot see
…to distances
that have no edges
…to a wind
that has never belonged to you
and yet
it carries you
as if it always has
I look down —
the world is still there
but it has let go of me —
set me free —
…free to soar
…free to fly
…free to — ‘be’
a freedom absolute
I look up
and gasp…
there is no up
only a perfect —
beyond
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Original DDE™ art: ”Sky Ship II” by: rob kistner © 3/23/26
<~>
rob kistner © 03/26/26
“freedom absolute”
Yes!
Up up and away! 🙂
This is stellar stuff, my friend and BEYOND hot air balloons or anything else earthly. There is hope and comfort in your words. I especially love “gravity forgets your name” and ” we are a thought
the sky decides to keep”. Beautiful.
Side note: Just came back from celebrating my 65th at a concert with a Beatles cover band. A room filled with boomers singing “Let it Be” was the highlight for me.
Thank you Mish! What a treat that must’ve been — everybody singing along… I’m sure you had a ball. That’s great! 🙂
Thanks, Rob, for so perfectly capturing and reminding me of my couple of ballooning experiences. Every sensory experience so perfectly captured and shared!
Up, up and away!
You are most welcome Ron… stay aloft my friend — may your winds be favorable bros, and your weather fair! 🙂
I took several balloon rides many years ago, it was an absolute blast. Your poem reminded me why, lol.
Glad I could Chris… 🙂
I really enjpyed this line “…to currents you cannot see
…to distances
that have no edges
…to a wind
that has never belonged to you”
Epic! Loved your music choices as well, was thinking some “Ride Like The Wind” by Christoper Cross would also been a legitimate suggestion!
Damn, how did I miss that obvious musical choice… great suggestion Cara! Thank you for your always kind words my friend, they mean a great deal… 🙂
“we are a thought
the sky decides to keep”
Nice one Rob
Much love
Thank you Gillena, much love to you my friend… 🙂
beautiful, touching! my fave lines =
and suddenly…
we are a thought
the sky decides to keep
I’m glad this resonated for you, Lynn or Ren you choose. But thank you for the kind words. I appreciate it.
I love this uplifting poem. That is a place of wonder we all hope to reach. Sometimes, when I meditate I reach a higher level of consciousness and in those moments there is a sense of “now and lightness”
and we
drift —
…not forward
…not back
but into…
into a silence
so deep
so complete
it feels like transcendence
Thank you True and isn’t that moment wonderful, I certainly love it.
Rob… ????
I’ve had this particular website for years and now it doesn’t do emojis and I know how to make it smile I know how to make it when you know how to make it frown, but that’s emoji it doesn’t do emojis sorry. jay! 😉
I posted clapping emojis but it didn’t show. Beautiful poem, Rob I enjoyed it very much. 🙂
Thank you so much, Jay. I appreciate it.
Love this Ron! Especially
“ we are a thought
the sky decides to keep”
Thank you Kip… 🙂
I am comforted by the thought of the earth simply releasing us, whether in a balloon or as a departing soul, Rob, and that ‘gravity forgets our name’ and ‘we are a thought the sky decides to keep’. And what a view!
You and me both Kim. I’ve come to realize that I’ve had some heavy post recently. I don’t mean to be dark. All the time goes through my head, but I do lighter possibilities. Even the end can be a possibility of if you receive it with your heart.
we are a thought
the sky decides to keep
A beautiful poem Rob. It took a Xanax and a lot of bathroom trips to get me into that hot air balloon, but once I was up there, I was totally free from fear. It was a wonderful experience and your lovely poem brought back those memories.
When we lived in Oregon, we had a friend with a hot air balloon been up with him for three or four times. And you’re right — it’s it’s nerves. It’s excitement a little bit of fear before you go but kind of loved it every time. I’m glad you liked this poem Kim — glad it brought back some memories for you
“we do not rise… / The earth / simply releases us.” The unbound exhalation. Beautiful stuff.
Thank you Brendan, I greatly appreciate your kind words sir! 🙂
Love this line: “Gravity forgets our name.” What beautiful work!
Thank you Ava, very much… 🙂