Author: Rob Kistner

Had I Followed


Photo entitled “Edges” – by: Pensiero

 

Had I Followed

~

I have followed this path
ever onward
to where it has lead

followed its rise
its fall
in concentric circles of time
sweeping always outward

there is much I have seen
and have experienced

much I’ve missed
and never known

much I’ve stumbled upon
stumbled over
always to collect myself
and follow on

I have encountered the unknown
been confused
lost my way
suffered sorrow

I have embraced the wonder
found enlightenment
understood
known joy

but ever on
this path does lead

and I
in measured step
must ever follow

had I followed another
what then

I know now
it would be no different
for I understand

I chose the other
every time

I am not on this path
I am this path

~ ~ ~

rob kistner © 2019

 

More answers to Merril’s question, “what if?” at dVerse…

Poetics: Time and What If?

Downpour

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“Sunburst” by: D. Trifiletti

 
Downpour

~

you hit like a downpour
a thunderstorm of love
your kisses hot as lightning
striking from above

your passion was a tempest
I was swept up in its force
but now the winds have died
this storm has run its course

my thoughts are chilled and cloudy
my eyes are steady rain
my heart’s caught in a cold front
bad weather’s bringing pain

the warm winds will return
as will the clear blue skies
but my heart will ever yearn
for that sunburst in your eyes

~ ~ ~

rob kistner © 2018

__________________

  • The image above sparked several impressions: rain, tears, cold, chaos, sadness, among others. These inpressions inspired this poem. The title of the image, and the small splash of yellow visible in the image, inspired the final line of the poem.
     
    Written for “Imaginary Garden With Real Toads”…
    More toad’s artistic interpretations

    • New Bloom

    IMG_9218

     
    New Bloom

    ~

    a newly bloomed flower
    full and succulent

    tender plumped folds
    new-formed
    glisten with dewy nectar

    luscious form
    and ripened blush
    delight the eye

    a gentle touch
    parts silken petals
    revealing the inner bud
    swollen with the urgency of life

    bringing face to flower
    pleasures the senses
    with heady fragrance

    intoxicating
    to breathe such vital beauty

    consumed
    one savors gently
    slowly

    exquisite
    this young flower
    full bloomed

    ~ ~ ~

    rob kistner © 2018

    Sweet Anticipation

  • My father taught me, I taught my son, now my grandson…

    •  
    5172D17C-B471-4D1A-A8DF-C628218DBA7F

     
    Sweet Anticipation

    ~

    warm
    familiar
    comfortable in my palm
    my fingers wrap natural cork
    index raised
    gauging line tension

    precision brings the willow’d shaft
    high above my shoulder
    rod flexing expectantly

    a flick of my wrist
    and the line arcs forward
    increasing the pressure
    on my fingertip
    as it rolls ahead
    accelerating

    then
    a careful pluck
    like a string
    on a guitar

    it is released

    the golden lure
    at line’s end
    sails silently
    into the squinting summer sun

    with a subtle plick
    the barbed hunter disappears
    slipping ‘neath the sparkle
    of the undulating steam

    seductively
    with quickening pulse
    eagerly visualizing
    I retrieve the bait
    craving the strike

    patience draws the lure
    dancing ever nearer

    I long for the sharp
    powerful tug

    for the slender thread
    unreeled before me
    to rise
    and dart away
    in a sliver of silver spray

    for my heart to jump
    as a proud trout
    breaks water
    victim to my seduction

    in this moment
    mind focused
    breath steady
    senses heightened
    awaiting sudden contact

    I reflect

    there is a simple truth in fishing
    as in life

    the sweet anticipation
    can be as rich
    as the reward

    ~ ~ ~

    rob kistner © 2018

    ______________________

  • Written for “Imaginary Garden With Real Toads”…
    More toad’s childhood memories

    • Staying Posted

    IMG_9268

     
    Staying Posted

    ~

    I wrote poetry
    wrote it for years
    wrote it by hand
    on randm paper
    kept it all

    in a box

    wrote it
    because I loved it
    because I had to
    to stay sane
    but just put it

    in that box

    I still write it
    I still love it
    but now I post it
    just for the

    comments

    not because
    I need approval
    or care much
    what others

    think

    but at my age
    seeing comments
    helps me know
    I’m still

    alive

     

    rob kistner © 2019

     

    Promise Kept

    “This is a prayer for peace at this end of year”

    truework2


     
    Promise Kept

    ~

    would that the world pause with me this night

    with open heart and thoughts of possibility

    remembering when dreams were young

    the breath of life so warm and fresh

    beauty was in all we touched

    love filled us overflowing

    trust real as sunlight

    truth was bedrock

    tomorrow was

    a promise

    kept

    ~ ~ ~

    rob kistner © 2018

    Artwork entitled: “Gentle World” by: rob kistner © 2005

    __________________________

  • Click below for more wonderful poems at dVerse…

    OLN #234 & Holiday Break

    • Voyage of Dreams

  • inspired by a small toy boat in my grandson’s bath…

    • A769E80D-4692-48FD-98D6-6A78295FCC6F

     
    Voyage of Dreams

    ~

    fantastic is this spell I’m under
    magic of a splendorous kind
    a world of cornucopic wonder
    treasure troves of dreams to plunder
    in this voyage of my mind

    here time and place are of my making
    these winds of fate in my control
    every pleasure for my taking
    every rule just for my breaking
    embracing secrets of my soul

    here I live a life enchanted
    here no fear of any threat
    sorrow is by joy supplanted
    no limit to desires granted
    what I want is what I get

    by fantasy’s elaboration
    up through stars of wonder I ascend
    soar in sweet hallucination
    in ships of my imagination
    oh, would this voyage but never end

    ~ ~ ~

    rob kistner © 2018

    ________________

    This poem is written in the rhyme scheme of Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”, namely: A,B,A,A,B. It also, like Frost’s poem, is four stanzas. I have always liked that particular piece by Frost, but ironically, the matching rhyme schemes and stanza lengths, are purely coincidental.

    ________________

    More magic at dVerse…

    Poetics – magic of ordinary things

    This Cannot Be

    This Cannot Be

    ~

    this cannot be the way his story ends
    his youth snuffed out by someone’s mindless deed
    this cannot be the horror fate intends
    if life be want mine now I do concede

    his youth snuffed out by someone’s mindless deed
    if debt is owed please I will make amends
    if life be want mine now I do concede
    consuming grief upon my life descends

    if debt is owed please I will make amends
    anger fills me like a poison seed
    consuming grief upon my life descends
    my soul is crushed my heart begins to bleed

    this anger fills me like a poison seed
    god tell me, did I somehow offend
    my soul is crushed, my heart begins to bleed
    a blackness here within me does distend

    god tell me please, did I somehow offend
    this cannot be the horror you intend
    this blackness here within me does distend
    god this can’t be the way his story ends!

    ~ ~ ~

    rob kistner © 1995
    (revision © 2018)

  • see more at dVerse

    Repetitive Forms – Meeting the Bar

    • Steel Tear

    IMG_9214

     
    Steel Tear

    ~

    the dream broke
    like a prodigal sun
    on a startled winter evening
    causing him to squint
    blinking away happiness
    like sand in the eyes of love

    you were there
    the disapproving guest
    at the final edit party

    you took his cues
    took his keys
    took his shoes
    took his leave

    you took him for a fool

    it wasn’t you didn’t want him
    you said
    you simply saw yourself
    in a different movie
    with a different ending

    no broken hearts
    at least
    not yours

    and the stranded man
    in the leather chair
    had my face

    had no expectations
    made no demands
    held you responsible
    for nothing

    and you left the table
    cashed in your winnings
    climbed the winding stairs
    silk purse in hand
    his heart in your pocket
    to place it at midnight
    on your balcony sill
    to watch it wither in the moonlight

    he had no need for it
    nor most certainly
    did you

    and the night lark sang
    and a silver tear
    fell hard as steel
    from his crystal’d cheek
    which you collected in a sterling box
    and tossed into the sea

    ~ ~ ~

    rob kistner © 2011
    (revision © 2018)

    Daredevil’s Dread

     

    Daredevil’s Dread

    ~

    to be shot from a cannon
    into the cool night air
    is really no big deal

    to face a barrage
    of flying knives
    isn’t really that unreal

    to leap through the fire
    of a flaming hoop
    the warmth is kind’a nice

    jumping giant chasms
    on two-wheeled fury
    sure – let’s do it twice

    to be blown up
    in a speeding car
    sort’a turns me on

    falling 20-story
    from a skyscraper
    I’m up over and gone

    riding upside down
    on an airplane wing
    it’s the only way to fly

    the high trapeze
    without a net
    I wouldn’t bat an eye

    buried alive
    in a padlocked tomb
    count 10 and I’ll cheat death

    chained in steel
    tossed in the sea
    no need to hold my breath



    the sphere of fear
    the dome of doom
    the bungee-cord freefall

    to walk blazing coals
    swallow deadly swords
    no sweat — I’ve done them all

    almost nothing scares
    this bold daredevil
    I am very proud to say

    save the single thing
    of which I’m terrified

    to give my heart away



    ~ ~ ~

    rob kistner © 2010
    (revised © 2018)

    ____________________________________

  • top 2 photos: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
  • bottom photo: source unknown

    • Touch of Love

  • My wife and I have enjoyed 31 years together. This is a poem I wrote to commemorate the moment we committed.

    IMG_8667

     

    Touch of Love

    ~

    three decades ago
    in the shadow of the tall ships
    nestled inter-coastal
    on the outer banks of Beaufort
    our passion burst to flame

    we bound that flashpoint moment
    in a promise of forever
    and a band of abalone
    I found there in that sunset
    on the Carolina sands

    as ever-precious
    as the diamond ring
    that now encircles in its stead
    that pearled bit of shell
    immortalized our pledge

    even to this day
    it rests next to your heart
    where it falls true and warm
    on links of purest gold
    my constant touch of love

    ~ ~ ~

    rob kistner © 2018



    Click below to read more poetry at dVerse:

    Open Link Night #233

    • Secret Ingredient

    IMG_9175
     

    Secret Ingredient

    ~

    – feeling the warmth of early spring sun
    – wandering through old growth forests
    – seeing the sunset into the pacific
    – breathing in the fragrance of summer
    – seeing joy in another’s eyes
    – hearing my grandson’s laughter
    – being breath-taken by art
    – being dazzled by autumn’s palette
    – tasting the richness of chocolate
    – being immersed in the rhythms of music
    – feeling the softness of my lover’s lips
    – seeing the morning dew sparkle
    – hearing the sweet lilt of a thrush
    – knowing the quiet of snowfall
    – raising my voice in song
    – drifting on a clear mountain lake
    – getting lost in poetry
    – feeling my lover’s gentle touch

    these are some ingredients
    of my wonderful life

    …my secret ingredient:

  • being thankful!

    ~ ~ ~
    rob kistner © 2018

    __________________________

  • See more secret ingredients at dVerse:

    Poetics: Secret Ingredient 

    • Infamous Last Words

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    Infamous Last Words

    ~

    so your guy wasn’t nominated
    but you got a solid candidate
    she knows her stuff
    brimming with experience
    and she’s a savy politician

    besides
    it’s a new era
    the era of the woman

    cheer up
    their candidate’s a fool
    no way he’ll get elected

    ~ ~ ~

    rob kistner © 2018

    ______________

  • and the nightmare continues…
    ______________

    • Go here to dVerse to get cheered up:

    Quadrille #70: Poems of Good Cheer

    Book Of Days (redux)

    book-of-days400

     

    Book Of Days

    ____

    found here in the pages
    of the book of days
    the neverending story
    of fathers and of sons

    in the book of days
    clearly it is written
    the father must move behind
    as the child moves beyond

    this is as it has been
    since all of time began
    the child growing stronger
    becomes father to the man

    and per the book of days
    this is the way of nature
    as the son becomes the father
    the father bows away

    yes, in our book of days
    as it has been written
    my time is growing short
    I’ve less and less tomorrow

    our space between grows greater
    our time together lessens
    as you pursue the future
    I slip further into the past

    yet in this father’s dream
    our time would linger further
    to soothe the mounting pain
    of bittersweet farewell

    I pray our book rewritten
    to bend both time and space
    and decree our time together
    stretch beyond that far horizon

    ____

    rob kistner © 2018

    (original version written 2011)

    That Velvet

    Lost in Azure