would that you allow me
a sip from your mercy cup
to sooth the searing pain
of bitter words
which should never have been spoken
forward through the years they’ve come
memories of those I’ve been well to know
been blessed to love, and who’ve loved me
for those now gone beyond – a tender tear
my heart is full, my spirit calm, my life is sweet
I surrender to another year in fate’s embrace
I am grateful for my life, never sought perfection
I have been given so very much for so very long
the sun that rises golden to warm the day
the breeze that wafts soft upon my face
mountains that rise majestic, covered in old growth
the rivers, the lakes, the clear mountain streams
the teeming nature and vital plants
so plentiful on this beautiful earth
my precious children and grandchild
the miraculous moments of their birth
I have felt the power of the mighty ocean
breaking on the boulders ‘neath rugged western cliffs
watched the sun set, coral and golden, into the azure sea
had the love of a wife, and family, to share this all with me
would this evening’s reverie never end
but soon the lingering day will bow its head
as twilight fades I’ll watch this night descend
at 72 – grateful where my life has led
rob kistner © 2019
 
sorrowful darkness does descend
the hands of chilling grief extend
forever’s knocking at the door
losing you I can’t comprehend
I’m drowning in my bitter tears
I am consumed by my worst fears
my soul is broken evermore
as my life’s meaning disappears
barter and pleading stain my lips
slip through my clutching fingertips
scatter useless across the floor
farther beyond your frail life slips
I’m shattered to my very core
it is for mercy I implore
let me delay that open door
to kiss your tender lips once more
This is an expanded and revised version of my poem “Far Beyond”. To further increase the imagery in the piece, an additional stanza was added to open the poem, and other minor revisions made. I still wanted there to be believable grief and sorrow, and bargaining – everything that would be a normal part of a deep love relationship when one of the partners departs this earth. At the same time, in the midst of grief, I wanted tenderness. He is distraught, but madly in love still – as he has been for years. This not an easy good bye. I chose the image of the dying rose, because even in its death it holds firmly to that which made it beautiful in life. Just as he tries to hold on to what was beautiful in their relationship. Bitter-sweet!
This poem is 8 syllables per line, exnctly the same as Robert Frost’s “Stopping By A Woods On A Snowy Evening”. The rhyme pattern to my piece here is: AABA CCBC DDBD EEBE BBBB
Click here to read Original version of this rubaiyat
Click here to read my “light filled” rubaiyat
__________________________
__________________________
~
ghosts of our love taunt – nevermore
forever’s knocking at the door
my soul is broken evermore
scattered useless across the floor
I’m shattered to my very core
it is for mercy I implore
let me delay that open door
to kiss your tender lips once more
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2019
DAY 18
before I am but all consumed
quench me with your precious kiss
if I am to be consumed
let it be by bliss
Click to read “Zak the Protector”, my post to dVerse game night
I am watching the sun as it sits low on the horizon. The hall clock chimes. It’s the hour of twilight. Dusk is slowly advancing, as the chill of night begins to settle on the land. All my daydreams have gone to bed. I sit in quiet solitude, close by the fire, soothed by its crackling glow. But I am not alone. I’m warmed by the memories that I’ve huddled around me.
From far into the past they drift forward through time. One by one they visit gently. These are memories of those I’ve been blessed to love, and who’ve loved me. I shed a tender tear for each one. There is a sweetness to this reverie, and just a touch of soft regret. In this peaceful moment, my heart is full, my spirit calm.
Had I my way, this evening would never end. But soon these flames will falter, and the lingering embers will die. The hands of that clock sweep me towards nightfall. Darkness will unfold its deep blanket upon me. I’ll soon surrender to time’s warm embrace.
~ ~ ~
rob kistner 2019
“Folding Time” by: rob kistner
where once I blocked the sun
I am but a shadow
moving between shadows
at the edge of light
without form
once a voice
that thundered ‘cross the distance
gripped every ear to listen
in so doing was well heard
now hardly but a whisper
my footsteps
shook the ground in passing
now leave but faint a trace
barely form and then are gone
as if I’ve never been
yet here I am
worn thin and weary
not strength to hold the hands of time
not sound to bid a fair goodbye
quickly disappearing
dissolving into the dust of age
gone before I’ve left
“Comment on western society’s diminishment of their elders.”
burglar moon at the window
having stolen the colors of this day
the world chill and quiet
I wonder
how thin the veil
between here and gone
and what will be the final breath
the beckoning breeze
the courier gust
to part that curtain
allowing burglar moon
to lift me
shed of mortal husk
and carry me through
to where
to what
I do not know
only that the day
the hour
the moment
of that theft
draws ever closer
as I lie
alone
in the dead of night
you approach cloaked in this sunrise
beneath a sky blue as your eyes
my spirit sings my heart is thrilled
your beauty leaves me hypnotized
bird songs carry on freshened breeze
flowers wake to the kiss of bees
my cup of bliss this moment filled
this magic brings me to my knees
I feel each day my true love build
quite certain by the gods it’s willed
this golden morn sweet tears are spilled
so thankful for these dreams fulfilled