had not she crossed my path
on that soft summer day
had not her voice
drifted like silk
on the summer breeze
to wrap sheer and sweet
around my heart
had not I been drawn
like a new bloom
to the morning sun
had not I been captivated
as a hummingbird
by a drop of nectar
crystal on a velvet petal
had not my love come down
soft as a rolling mountain meadow
had not this dream been born
had not my life begun again
rob kistner © 2019
backlit by the golden sun
our bodies radiantly naked
in the soft grass of a mountain meadow
frolicking with you naked
running silvery in a cool spring rain
slick and slippery naked
in the riotous colors of a flower garden
our lips petal plushed and naked
lying in the rolling summer surf
waves breaking upon us naked
walking in an ancient forest deep
awed, spellbound and naked
smiling on a crisp autumn morn
leaves falling ‘round us, naked
curled in sweet peaceful sleep
both breathing gently, naked
in the copper glow of desert redrock
our wild spirits naked
in the frothy roar of a waterfall
standing in the cascade naked
in the wafting of a gentle breeze
we dance and whirl ‘round naked
silhouetted against a sterling moon
our skin a satin sheen and naked
with our secreted souls laid bare
fully exposed and naked
all our dreams and fears revealed
hearts trembling and naked
our every pretense stripped away
finally truly naked
enfolded here in each other’s arms
both vulnerable and naked
we gaze into the vast night sky
we marvel, breathtaken — and naked
I’ll rob the stars from that night sky
to twinkle in your eyes so naked
rob kistner © 2019
rob kistner © 2019
those days remembered
of graceful lightness
when faith in truth
sparked splendid dreams
those days of us
when all we touched
was fresh and new
and the world
was full of wonder
those carefree days
when we were certain
we’d live forever
strength made each day
a great adventure
but not these days
I am bent
by the yoke of sorrow
I am heavy
with the weight of loss
I am haunted
by the ghost of memory
the painful days
when I think of you
these empty days
how can this void be filled
when one so vital is gone
so much wit and wisdom
robbed from this world
kindness and love
lost when you passed
one who understood
the need for giving
in a careless world
darkened by greed
a tender heart
truly unselfish
whose warm embrace
included all
I will not forget
I will remember you
and all those days
that’s how I’ll fill this void
with the seeds of friendship
planted deep
inside my heart
now filled with grief
may they grow
to make the memories
richer and more precious
grow to make me gentler
and more grateful
for the loved ones
still in my life
good-bye my friend
I will not forget
I will tend these seeds
and think of you
I will not forget
rob kistner © 2019
oh alien night goddess
my alluring otherworldly
we’ve sailed the universe
in our skyship of passion
I have watched with you
platinum fire clouds
hanging in pale green skies
over the azure seas of Toluraz
we’ve seen the copper leaves
of the silken parmus fronds
flashing from indigo cliffs
in the crystal mists of Gemin
we’ve swam the blue oceans of Gaia
made love ‘neath its silver moon
scaled its emerald forested mountains
ran with its fantastic beasts
I have beheld exquisite beauty
throughout the cosmos in my life
but nothing nearly so beautiful
as your ebony eyes — tonight
rob kistner © 2019
This is inspired by memories from the 1950’s when my father and I would fish, well into the night in the Canadian wilderness. Coming back, with “little blue”, our 25 HP Evinrude pushing us through the damp, foggy darkness, traversing the treacherous rocky ‘narrows’ that connected the chain of lakes we fished.
Huge boulders lurked ominously in the clear, cold water. Motor off, dad would carefully row and pole our way through, with the bow-hung Coleman lantern’s yellow glow to guide us — and me at the bow of the boat with a hand-held Rayovac spotlight, visually probing the dark depths. The huge submerged rocks, appearing from out of the darkness like some beast, coming into the penetrating beam of my light, were indeed spooky, and gave me a shiver — still do.
Each season several fishermen would take out the bottom of their wood boats on an unseen rock. Bear and wolves lived in the forests, so one did not want to trek for miles through the pitch black of night. Making our way, weary and wet, back to our little island’s dark wooden dock was slow and eerie – but thrilling!
the lone light
hangs heavy
from the bow ring
throws its yellowed glow
into the damp night
searching its beam
fractured ‘cross the chop water
probing for the dark dock
for home
rob kistner © 08/13/09
revised © 2019
rob kistner © 2019
This piece is inspired by a long-time friend, and former business partner. Barry was healthy and athletic through high school and college, and later an excellent graphic artist. Now he’s relegated by MS to the confines of an electric wheel chair. He loved to dance and enjoyed my band in younger years. He has never let the chair stop him. Though he doesn’t walk now, and has lost the effective use of the left side of his body (he is/was left handed) he has never stopped smiling or going to watch live music performed. He has become a superb photographer, learning to master the right side of his body. He also still loves hot rods, a passion he and I share. Barry is now 73, still going strong. This is for you my buddy.
bent and stooped
by fate – struck down
confined to his rolling metal chair
his gentle eyes still reflect a wonder
by my soul sometimes misplaced
by my self-pity displaced
his timeless spirit knows only belief
it pours forth from his being
his person full alive
his essence full aware
wholly in the now
positioned close to the modest stage
he is enraptured by the rhythm
enthralled by the magic
captured by his lens
the band plays fast
the band plays slow
the band plays loud
the band plays low
he is filled with every note
every beat
every nuance
he rocks
and rolls
and snaps snaps snaps
he experiences an ecstasy
which I watch with marvel
its purity and power
I am challenged to equal
I now realize
just how much
I do not understand
about struggle
about pride
as I behold this able man
faint envy stirs
as I witness his unbridled joy
so complete
and unpretentious
rob kistner © 2019
fiercely knowing — worldly wise
sleek as steel — tall and strong
swift and cunning — motor running
she might let you in, but not for long
her soul is free — she’ll not be caged
no mortal man will keep her tied
her spirit a gorgeous beast enraged
she’s crushed all those who’ve ever tried
poor fool who craves this iron goddess
is hopelessly addicted
there’s only one word for this life-force
that word, my friend, is — wicked!
rob kistner © 2019
thriving on the thrill of the throttle
embracing the magnificence
living in the moment
not counting time
keeping track
just being
free
rob kistner © 2019
When I saw Amaya’s prompt today for dVerse it put me in touch with a fun poem I wrote in 2007. I had no opinion of astrology, but I decided to get a personal astrological reading back then from Astology.com to support what I originally wrote for this poem. To update the poem, I got another reading today from Astrology Online.
I posted today’s reading at the bottom of this post. I blended info from this current reading into this revision of my original poem. I hope you enjoy this!
a lover of freedom
all tethers rejected
all constraints are broken through
I am strong of will
firmly resolute
none dictate what I should do
my mind is my own
not some follower
my path mine only to pursue
my life is unique
it’s of my construct
its purpose is mine to construe
tradition is shunned
my life’s avant-garde
the leading edge never taboo
I’ve an artist’s spirit
and a writer’s voice
my soul’s palette is multi-hue
I am just and fair
quite compassionate
open minded to all that’s new
I am sensitive
with an inventive mind
a philosopher’s vision too
tech is my friend
and the natural world
from both of these I take my cue
my intuitive sense
gives me future vision
to raise the world a notch or two
this all must be real
it has all been revealed
Astrology.com said it’s true
…Astrology Online did too
rob kistner © 2007
revision © 2019
My birthday is February 18th.
I am a pure cusp child born exactly between February 15th – 21st.
This is my reading today on: Astrology Online.
* As an Aquarius/Pisces you are selfless and spiritual, often strongly intuitive and receptive to the collective unconscious.
* You reflect the dual nature of life, reality and non reality, consciousness and the unconscious. You represent consciousness through the flowing of ideas. You work hard to bring your ideas to fruition, stubbornly refusing to give up your causes.
* You are peace loving and friendly, and are the chameleon of the Zodiac, receptive to the needs of others but sometimes getting lost yourself.
* You tend to be strongly spiritual (not necessarily religious) and artistic. You are idealistic, but sometimes your dreams are vague and impractical.
* When reality intrudes, you can become pessimistic or lethargic, but you are very adaptive and broad-minded, so you can rework your ideals when necessary.
* You are tolerant and open-minded, but tend to stick to your beliefs. You are compassionate, sensitive, imaginative and sympathetic to the feelings of others. You tend to be romantic and sentimental, but you may give in to escapism.
* You are devoted to your goals, but you can be disorganized or procrastinate when faced with difficulties.
* Your intellect makes you logical and self-confident, but it may also makes you aloof from people around you.
* You are original, offbeat and even eccentric, but you are also rather bored by detail. Reformist and experimental, you may seem cold toward people who don’t share your intellectual orientation to life.
* You may become withdrawn if your emotions are abused too often.
* You are multitalented, both in scientific and creative endeavors.
* You are unique and rebellious, and are driven to change the world. However, you can be shy, quiet and sometimes elusive, refusing to show your true self.
* You are modest, thoughtful, and display remarkable musical talent. Freedom is important to you, and you are often driven to help others become free, as well.
* You alleviate your emotional stress through contact with others and exercise.
* Your great strength is in your visionary nature and your compassion. You will likely take the world to the next level; and make others see things in a new light. Your ability to break the rules and help others reach their fullest potential make you a most understanding individual.
This is a long-form, free verse poem, contemplating the post-apocalyptic ‘last person on earth’ theme, the “omega man” concept. This is a sobering take on the end of the world. It is also a love story, love lost that is.”
Fire Mark
I remember when it happened
remember well
the all-defining fire mark in time
that forever divided then from now
comfortably alone
walking up along the forested valley
that is our property line at the back
my eyes drifting up the azure waters
of the clear mountain stream
that rolled towards me crisp and pure
at the instant of the startling sound
the strange light
I cast my eyes to the very tops of the Douglas Firs
they stand proud at the river’s edge
sentries for centuries
protecting this northern boundary of our lands
steady and enduring
yet always supple in the winds that waft and quicken
whispering the breath of life
into this pristine realm
then came the second blinding flash
lighting the entire sky
tears glistened
the damned fools had finally done it
two years on now since that ominous event
but I never can forget the bone chill
that penetrating feeling
in those moments I knew
the cities were vaporized
I was isolated
alone
but how alone
too long now
since I have shared this vast beauty
with another’s eyes
with her eyes
with any eyes
or found my voice to exclaim its wonders
yet I still ramble the valley
wade the stream
given to an ever-rolling mumble
jabbering quietly to no one in particular
at the ragged edge of coherence
clinging to the chance
I might be rewarded with a response
her response
any response
but she had gone to the ciy
so only comes the murmur of the constant stream
carried on the season’s breezes
I have held my mind in good humor
bound by the glory of this land I wander
tethered to the waning hope
that she is not gone
that they all can’t possibly be gone
a hope buoyed by the majesty of these forests
that climb their way skyward
with the patience and persistence of the ages
but each day
a horrifying realization
grows in my mind
suffocating my soul
they are gone
every ~ last ~ one
gone
can I last
have I that patience
how long can I hold center
when comes my personal fire mark
my sunset
how long until my fragile psyche unravels
scrambling in lonely panic
seeking human contact
tonight I will sit alone again
in my room
in the soft light of the fire
the only light and warmth possible
since that fateful point in time
when the world’s infrastructure
collapsed
alone
month after month
in the smothering silence
in the maddening quiet
of this voiceless world
in which nowhere can be found
her eyes
any eyes
in which
never again will I hear
a simple
”hello”
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 8/17/12
revised © 5/18/19
it comes a surprise
life after life flies
away
a blink of the eyes
tomorrow arrives
today
one lifetime derives
so many sweet lives
rob kistner © 2019
Aeropachydermicide: recklessly causing the death of someone or something by actions that result from the foolish belief that one is so smart and powerful that one can make an elephant fly.
we fantasized we had dominion
that we understood the vast unknown
could control the raw chaotic
that we had figured out the why
so we delved into dark science
with no regard for frail nature
flailed our way across the planet
belched our leavings into our sky
we so bought into our egos
that we perceived ourselves as gods
that we were capable of anything
perhaps make the elephant to fly
but we humans lost sight of balance
did not comprehend our place
as only one of precious many
we let the tipping point slip by
now we wonder what will happen
to our misbegotten dream
stare through disbelieving tears
as we watch it slowly die
rob kistner © 10/3/11
revised © 2019
to believe
people are by nature good
that we can live in peace
and make the world a better place
to believe
universal understanding
is a common goal
of the peoples of this planet
to believe
we haven’t lost our faith
in these sacrosanct ideals
of an elevated life
to believe
there still exists somewhere
a shared and nurtured vision
of a paradise on earth
I’d like to believe
but empty runs the hourglass
I’ve heard the daily news
and I’m so weary, and broken-hearted
yes, I’d like to believe
I’d really like to
but now I even wonder
did anyone ever believe
rob kistner © 2019
Click below to check out more poetry at dVerse: