Original digital surreal art: “World’s Wonder Window” by: rob kistner © 10/1/24
There are days I still can feel
the breeze of youth gently stir my soul
days remembered of grace and lightness
when faith in truth sparked splendid dreams
those days
of new found friends
of us
when all we touched was fresh and new
and the world was full of wonder
when we were certain we’d all live forever
our strength made each day a great adventure
those carefree days
the days we witnessed one for the other
as we made vows to our chosen life mates
we raised our children
we grew our careers
or our skills and artistry
our avocations
our families close
through these growth years
years of challenge
and sadly — those times of tears
but too — there were days of joy
steadfast dedication
but not these days
I’ve grown unyielding
rigidly braced
against the winds of time and fate
my soul is rooted too deep
in life’s demands
in it’s obstacles
I search its blessings
curse its burdens
these brittle days
I am bent by the yoke of worry
staggered by the blows of disease
heavy with the weight of loss
I am haunted by the ghost of memory
haunted by regret
the lonely days
when I reflect on these
set upon by another challenge
or another loss
brought even to my knees
these empty days
how can this void be filled
when ones so vital have departed
gone on one by one
we’re left brokenhearted
but not filled with strife
I still feel their life
this world was denied much wit and wisdom
kindness and love lost
when each, you passed
how can this void be filled
when ones so rich in these
are gone
gone so far beyond
ones who understood the need for giving
in a careless world
darkened by greed
that’s lost the soul of living
under attack by brutal lies
of deadly pandemic
when innocence dies
you
of tender hearts
truly unselfish
whose warm embrace included all
devastated by our fall
how can this void be filled
when such brilliant lights
have been snuffed out
I will not forget
I will remember you all
as long as I am able
I will remember all those days
that is how I will fill this void
keep focus on tomorrow
with the seeds of friendship
you each planted deep inside my heart
now filled with sorrow
may they grow to make me gentler
and me — the world a better place
good-bye my friends
ever will I tend these seeds
and think of you
I will not forget
I will never forget
*
rob kistner © 2024
More poetry at: dVerse
A beautiful ode to fond memories
much????love
Thank you Gillena! Much love to you my friend… 🙂
So poignant, Rob. It’s hard as we get older to lose so many, and all we can do is cherish the memories.
Memories are so precious Merril, and they always begin to fade into the mist of time — unless they are documented. It wasn’t until my mid 20’s that I fully realized how precious. Having been adopted, I had a void in my past that never was resolved with clarity, so memories going forward held more snd more importance to me over the years… 😉
Hi Rob. Nice music, nice words…And WOW your surreal art. I love the one pictured. Hope if I click on it, I’ll see more. I’m hoping it is a sculpture but on enlarging the photo, I’m afraid it is a painting. Are all of these furniture yours as well? They are amazing. J
Thank you Judy. Yes, everything linked to the sight is my creative work. It spans over 5 decades.
Your poem resonates with me, Rob, the ‘breeze of youth’ and the memories of a time ‘when all we touched was fresh and new /and the world was full of wonder’. A realistic poem that also remembers ‘years of challenge’ and ‘times of tears’, and is aware of ‘the yoke of worry’ and ‘heavy with the weight of loss’.
I am pleased it resonated with you Kim. Time reveals the realities of life, if you pay attention… 🙂
When you reach a certain age, you will have to get ready for those who leaves us… so very poignant-
Yes Björn. A significant number of my friends through my years performing rock music, and my years with Lucasfilm LTD are gone — including several of my best friends from those decades. We were all living in the fast lane at the speed of life. I am so very surprised I am still here, and I still have my 2 of my best friends from the past 60 years — my long time drummer Gene, and my tech-bro Barry from my AV design days. We are on opposite coasts, several thousand of mikes apart — but we still chat like we are brothers in arms in this campaign of life.
“when all we touched was fresh and new
and the world was full of wonder”
I try to live like this still. It isn’t always easy. I try to let my children live like this, teach them to always hold on to that.
So important, and not ever easy Melissa. I have held the thread to a bulk of that now to age 77. 😉
So beautiful, so poignant, Rob. We spend a lifetime making memories and in the end, sometimes, memories desert us.
Thank you Punnam… 🙂
You do what you can and you remember. How’s that little grandson of yours?
I keep the memories stirred best I can Lisa… my little Alex keeps getting taller, smarter, and more handsome every day — thank you for inquiring my friend… 🙂