Month: January 2021

Certainly one of my most favorite poets is Gary Snyder. He has inspired me for years to write about the natural wilderness, an endeavor that sparks the ecstatic in me. This short poem of his that follows in parenthesis, “How Poetry Comes To Me”, directly inspired me to write the poem that follows further below, “Why Poet”. I had been in discussion with members of a poetry group years ago. We were talking about where and how we find our muse. Holding in mind this poem by Gary, I wrote the first draft of “Why Poet”. I wrote this revision found here for this prompt.

It comes blundering over the
Boulders at night, it stays
Frightened outside the
Range of my campfire
I go to meet it at the
Edge of the light

© Gary Snyder

<=|=>

 

 
Why Poet

~

damaged in my special way
I like the path unclear
the route unmarked

fond of stumbling in
fumbling through
finding the way that’s mine

seduced by the clue
drawn to the fog
I seek the wonder
it withholds

my ears prick
to the distant sound
that calls
just beyond clarity

it is to this
my soul is pulled

because

down that path
around a curve
over a crest
hidden away

the truth dwells

~ ~ ~

rob kistner © 2021

 

 

To check out more poems at dVerse: CLICK HERE

 
Resilient

~
 
This is the era of COVID-19. A horrific experience like none in my life. It has shocked, terrified, and killed. My fear for my family has permeated my daily life. I am old and not wishing to die, but certainly accepting of its inevitability. My life has been full.

But my adult son and daughter have much life still to live. Watching the challenges they continue to encounter, fills me with much concern. However, seeing them embrace the ongoing changes so brilliantly, fills me with much hope. My 7-year-old grandson Alex, my son’s boy, while mildly confused by it all, and ready with questions, is maneuvering this new normal — resiliently.

I worry for his education, but he assures me he finds school online with his friends, “kinda fun PaPa!” He answers the zoom “school bell” on his laptop every morning with a smile. He is bursting with learning, always proud to share with me what new he knows today! He, with great support and nurturing from his father and mother, have shown PaPa — love finds a way.

grandson in zoom class
young voice reading warms my heart
fresh snow falls like joy

~ ~ ~

rob kistner © 2021

 

To check out more poems at dVerse: CLICK HERE