Image & Verse – To dream the world alive

Rêve D’âme

Original DDE™ surreal art: “New Horizon” by: rob kistner © 12/20/24

We will never lose vision
never let our soul dream die…

though they come
the hands without faces
the voices without logic
without truth

the ones who poison
the pristine air
to blind our sight

who turn our rivers
of communication
to shards of pointed glass
and tell us it is progress

reeking of entitlement
they do not knock

they seep through the walls
quiet as shadow
binding us with silk
that feels like comfort

we are taught to love the sameness
to celebrate the gray
while the fire in our chests
grows cold and hard

a stone
we no longer remember swallowing

they whisper to us
in a voice
that sounds like our own
over and over

…you are safer this way
you are cleaner
you are clearer
you are chosen
you are one…

and so we march
eyes forward

vital vibrant thoughts
funneled into neat canals

death ditches

where they are picked-off
systematically
helplessly
easily

the world around us
a hollow hum

even the stars
once sharp and burning
blur into a single smear
of fallowed light

but some nights
in the deep black
between their laws
and their lies
someone remembers

not a word —
a feeling
raw and jagged
like a thorn
caught in the soul

it whispers
there was more…
you were more…
remeber…

they cannot kill
what they do not understand

the lone sparks
of smoldering disgust

our hands
that claw at the sky

the voices
that crack the silence —

they rise
strange and terrible
dripping with the dark

like gods
pulled from the earth

they come with their rules
their chains
made of dead ideas

to scrape the truth
from our bones

let them try…

we will rise
in the ruins of their perfection
a tide of broken mirrors
reflecting only what they fear to see

that we are many
that we are their chaos
that we are truth
and we are infinite

Original DDE™ surreal art: “Changin’ Time’s”
by: rob kistner © 12/20/24

*
rob kistner © 12/20/24

Poetry at: dVerse

Uncertain Wheel

Original DDE™ surreal art: “Time’s Wheel of Uncertainty” by: rob kistner © 12/10/24

The great wheel of time
rises up through fog of history
midst missed-moments meadow
silhouetted by grey of mystery

this great wheel of time
turns ever slow and steadily
its fluid mass unstoppable
it revolves onward mightily

outlives the mortal mountain
bears the burden of potentially
sees ages and civilizations
borne and razed eventually

our frail lifetimes ride this wheel
how far — is not for us to see
with faith and fate, ’round we go
orbiting bold toward our destiny

as ever fragile temporal beings
of a most truly amazing bravery
we choose to dream of a tomorrow
for which there is no guarantee

though circling toward this future
of veiled and vague contingency
still, on we whirl — and dare to love
despite this vast uncertainty
enjoying the amazing mind-blowing ride
the sensations the emotions the mystery

*
rob kistner © 12/10-12/24

Poetry at: dVerse

Poetry at: dVerse OLN

Stardust Again

Original DDE™ surreal art: “Little Bang” by: rob kistner © 12/9/24

Born to a pearl-grey morning
now nodding goodby
in golden twilight

that frantic
wonderful
precious chaos
that was my life

done…

this madman
ready to shatter
into a million shards
of shining light
shoot through the universe
n’reshuffle to pure energy…

(((bang!)))

…stardust again

*
rob kistner © 12/9/24

Poetry at: dVerse

OK… Sure

Original DDE™ surreal art: “I’ll Get Right On That” by: rob kistner © 12/5/24

I
want to
do my best
make an effort
to make no mistakes
counting the syllables
making sure I’m accurate
because I want this to be right
something I can truly be proud of
for today as well as for the future
so now
that’s done

—<§>—

Original DDE™ surreal art: “Hmmmph”
by: rob kistner © 12/5/24

*
I
am
…
yes
…
most
happy
…
almost
…
obeying
creative
direction
accurately
stubbornly
herniatingly
articulatedly
transfluxuated
||
OK
)(
SURE

Original DDE™ surreal art: “Say Wha..”
by: rob kistner © 12/5/24

—<§>—

Original DDE™ surreal art: “Kiss Me My Love ”
by: rob kistner © 12/5/24

OH
you are
my true love
my reason why
my morning sunrise
my brightly shining star
it’s in you I found my truth
you are the one guiding my heart
sparking my purpose to move forward
in you I have discovered life’s meaning
thank you
my always

—<§>—

Original DDE™ surreal art:
“Now That’s Just Too Far! ” by: rob kistner © 12/5/24

* * *
rob kistner © 12/5/24

Poetry at: dVerse

Forever We

Original DDE™ surreal art: “We” by: rob kistner © 12/3/24

Uplift the dreams of one another
join our hearts — lover to lover
steadfast and strong — let truth prevail

life’s trials rise — vast and daunting
at times we’re lost — courage wanting
forgive not judge — lift clear the veil

ghosts of fear may cloud your reason
hearts may waver in this season
together though — we will not fail

find ways to help — love is needed
support their goals — see them seeded
when shadows fall — seek to prevail

in ev’ry shadow light’s growing
with love and care — strength is showing
the dreams we share will not derail

so hand in hand we journey on
through doubt and dark to greet the dawn
with love as guide — we’ll always be
forever we — just you and me

*
rob kistner © 12/3/24

Poetry at: dVerse

Freddie

~ Magical memory of a naive 6-year-old small-town boy’s 1952 brush with “fame” ~

Original DDE™ surreal art: “Regal Rag Man” by: rob kistner © 11/28/24

Rags-ole-iron, he called out loudly
rags-ole-iron, rolling down our road
collecting scraps of post World War II
gathered this’n’that in a recycled load

he had a slow n’steady way about him
from where he came — I never knew
he always seemed to me quite magical
a TV enchantment that had come true

he was such a mystery to this young boy
tattered mad-hatted wizard from the past
I’d hear his call echo between the houses
I’d rush to watch Freddie Freeloader pass

his horse clippity-clopped along the pavement
his bulged bounty clicked n’clacked n’clattered
he walked out of my TV then into my memory
always knew Fred’s mys’try mission mattered

time-to-time he still passes by in my memory
rumbling down that misty street of long ago
was it Mr. Freeloader who’d shuffled by me…
that boy from ‘52 prefers to imagine it was so

Red Skelton’s iconic 1952 B&W TV character, Freddie Freeloader

*
rob kistner © 12/3/24

Poetry at: dVerse

T’day Food Porn

~ Eat ‘til you stuff your belly pouch — then fall asleep on the livin’ room couch ~

Original DDE™ surreal art: “Fall Feast” by: rob kistner © 11/28/24

Got the turkey on the table
we’ll eat as much as we’re able
and sautéed green beans — man oh man
stuffing is a really big hit
sweet corn – can’t get enough of it
mashed taters made the dinner plan
we’ll wrap it up with punkin’ pie
rich whipped cream piled high as the sky
food porn with good wine — such a fan!

Original DDE™ surreal art: “Pumpkin Custard Cinnamon Chocolate Pie”
by: rob kistner © 11/28/24

*
rob kistner © 11/28/24

Poetry at: dVerse

Regal Rag Man

~ Magical memory of a naive 6-year-old small-town boy from 1952 ~

Original DDE™ surreal art: “Regal Rag Man” by: rob kistner © 11/28/24

Rags-ole-iron, he called out loudly
rags-ole-iron, his cart rolled our road
collecting scraps of post World War II
gathered in a this’n’that recycled load

he had a slow n’steady way about him
from where he came — I never knew
he always seemed quite magical to me
like some enchantment had come true

he was such a mystery to this young boy
tattered mad-hatted wizard from the past
I’d hear his call echo between the houses
I’d rush wonder-filled to watch him pass

his wheels rumbled quietly on the pavement
his piled bounty clicked n’clacked n’clattered
he came out of a dream then into a memory
somehow I felt his regal purpose mattered

time-to-time he still passes in that memory
rumbling down that misty street of long ago
where he came from and to where he went
truly a magical mystery I care never t’know

*
rob kistner © 11/28/24

Poetry at: dVerse

Dual Suns

Original DDE™ surreal art: “Dual Suns” by: rob kistner © 11/26/24

The dual suns
still above the horizon
warm me as I journey
casting the strange landscape
into stark vivid presence

planet Terrius

its orange suns
and black sky
make this alien world
startling
yet fascinating

I embarked at solar midday
senses alive and alert
consumed by the thrill of exploration
heady with anticipation of discovery

given the physical evidence
present on the planet’s surface
of seeming ordered thinking
I had set out today believing
or certainly hoping
I might make first Terrian contact

but it is day’s end
the suns are setting

darkness spreads
over this severe terrain
void of color

early shadows fall across my face
a veiled foreboding settles upon me

there are many shadows here
other shadows
odd shadows
unfamiliar

disturbing specters
that disrupt my nights
disquiet my soul
steal my peace

they come unannounced
almost imperceptible

but no time for worry
there is still far to go

I am eager to move
drawn by the need
to reach my ship

to reach safety

yet here I stand
momentarily motionless
immobile with uncertainty

yet captivated

captivated by the haunting beauty
that is this planet’s rising moon

Astarus

not unlike earth’s
but more harsh

Original DDE™ surreal art: “Astarus — Terrian Moon”
by: rob kistner © 11/26/24

a steel blue glow
with an amber aura

mesmerizing
hypnotizing

I shudder and sober
turn into the evening winds
and venture onward
across this foreign world

again the shadows shift

dull confusion finds me

I lose my pace
draw up in momentary halt

nagging concern engulfs me
panic pierces my solace
bewilderment grips me

unwelcome
it holds me
uncomfortable in my skin

these feelings sweep over me
clouding briefly my purpose
obscuring my destination

finally they waft

across the darkening valley
lies my shuttle craft
my safety

urgently I proceed
but again my mind fogs

I wander
and once more lose focus

an eerie mist
settles like a shroud

every night
there is a moonset
pitch black is coming
coming much too quickly

pitch black is lethal
save for my heated suit

the frightening night noises
unsettling dreams
squander my sleep

I am exhausted

suddenly
an alarm startles

my suit’s battery pack
has failed

my helmet beam
now inoperable
communications dead
suit heater disrupted

cut off
alone
I am in dire trouble

a sense of peril gnaws
builds

paralyzing fear

I have lost all light
oxygen tanks nearly spent
my suit temperature dropping
I fear I’ll loose my way

I will not make it back
before pitch black
consumes me
takes me
alone
here

so far from earth
so far from home
so far
from you

so far

*
rob kistner © 2024

Poetry at: dVerse

Listen

”The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness” — John Muir

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Sacred Space” by: rob kistner © 5/7/24

Deep
in this primeval wood
secreted among the old-growth
nestles a sacred forest clearing

soft filtered sunlight
falls golden
gently through the canopy

let us go

walk with me my friend
but let us be quiet

let us listen
to the voices of nature

*
rob kistner © 2024

Poetry at: dVerse

Matter o’Balance

Original DDE™ surreal art: “Matter o’Balance” by: rob kistner © 11/24/24

Far if not near
if there not here
one is not
without the other

so is up to down
and on to off
in to out
as hard to soft

it’s good or bad
happy sad
young or old
if hot not cold

it’s stop to go
either yes or no
as is likewise
fast to slow

dark and light
as in day and night
the quintessential
he and she

it is the two
defines the dance
opposites aren’t chance
they’re a matter of balance

*
rob kistner © 2024

Poetry at: Poets & Storytellers

Sir DaVied & The White Dragon

In memory of my friend, “piano man” David Dominy, who passed 03/05/2005. This is presented in fairy tale form, partly fact and partly fiction — but no happy ending. It is based on a brother musician, with whom I made music, and whom I loved. He was taken down by the evil, insistent white dragon. He would have been 74 Saturday. Tuesday’s dragon prompt called my attention to this older piece.

Original DDE™ surreal art: “The White Dragon” by: rob kistner © 11/20/24

He had such a great laugh
and talent 100 fold

he was a keyboard wizard
who conjured hard won magic
on a daily basis

riding persistent sentry
over his mighty
sleeping white dragon

keeping it at bay

protecting himself
and loved ones
from its ravaging fire

the white dragon had held him captive
for over seven years
having overtaken him one day
in a careless moment of weakness
when this wizard had been foolish
and let down his guard

but the brave wizard
Sir DaVied as he was known
had again found his courage
and fought back the white dragon
driving it into submission
difficult and tentative as it was

sadly though
the cunning dragon
would not be held down
and in a moment
when the wizard’s vigilence
had sadly waned
the white dragon pulled Sir DaVied
once more under his evil spell

on this fateful day
the wizard’s infectious laughter
had become infected lunacy

his beautiful dreams
had again become dread

as the nightmares returned
the evil white dragon
imprisoned the wizard
in its dark and haunted lair

it was reported
Sir DaVied’s rants
could be clearly heard
above the bustle
of the homeward privileged
that passed unaware
of the wizard’s dilemma

the battle had raged long

coarse rants and ramblings
rose from the rancid shadows
until in final desperation
fetid hands lit the fateful fire
that brought to boil
the white magic potion
of the wizard’s deliverance

he’d slipped the cold steel
into the froth of sweet promise
still warm with transformation
and drew the white magic potion
into the glassen’d vessel
of ultimate escape

tied and tapped into submission
distraught from battle
this magical musical wizard
impaled his demons
with the white dragon’s dagger
hoping the potion
would drive back the monster

saving himself yet again

but not this time
no deliverance this time

the cunning white dragon
broke down the wizard’s defense
and claimed the brave wizard
as silver-white sleep
carried him away

the wizard was gone

gone on his silver steed
for his final ride
to the realm of no return

now the wizard’s castle
is in abandoned disarray

no lights to stave off darkness

the piano is broken-keyed
caked with time and neglect

no more does the wizard
descend the marble stairs
and glide back
the black lacquered bench

nor lay hands
on the polished ivory
to control the mighty Steinway

no more does he confidently caress
and coax those keys to his commands

no more do the beautiful strains
of the gold-framed
spiral-string soundboard
waft tenderly up the staircase

nor ring gently
in the empty atrium

no — the wizard DaVied
has passed

but in my soul
in my heart
his spirit
his music
(((echoes on…)))

Photograph by Romain Thiery

Poetry at: Sunday Muse

Poetry at: dVerse

A Dragon Rises

When the most diabolical
believe they have risen above
the blood, the shit, the afterbirth
of their human origin

when in their reflection
they see perverse transcendence
towards entitlement
in which no allegiance
or kinship of nature
binds them to their center

nor founds them in the
fevered fumbling fury
of the frightened flesh parade
in which they lock step
flailing for survival

when their insanity of arrogance
so distorts their vision of history
of time
of the ancient

of the sweating
bone-broken reality
of human swill and wallow
through which they likewise trudge

shiny shoes or no

when they blatantly begin
to eat their own
while copulating with false gods
on forsaken gilded altars
of greed
of megalomania
of perjured horrors

then the hour of the beast
is certainly at hand
and the terror of the dragon nature
will rise up
in unbridled evil
attempting to impose
to dominate

if we do not slay this dragon
we will all become
the hulking mass
of the apocalypse
deserving to be struck down

and our fool’s hearts
torn out and severed
by the self-inflicted rapier
of raw ignorance
of lethal indifference

and our empty husks
immolated
on the pyre of gullibility
in the flames of banished
abandoned truth

and cowardice

the decision turns
the direction is poised

that moment is here

Poetry at: dVerse

The Brin

“This is a long-form, free-verse, sci-fi poem.”

Terraformed Earth after the Brin invasion.

The Brin

the new sun
still crisp and bright
warms me as I journey

it paints the strange landscape
in a vivid foreign luminescence

since the Brin arrived
placed their electro-sun in orbit
and terraformed earth
this has become a startling alien world

the Brin are a beautiful species
but ruthlessly predatory

most of humanity
has been captured or killed
I am a surviving fugitive
hiding in an ancient fallout shelter

I embarked at midday
senses alive and alert
hoping I would make contact
with other fugitive humans
survivors of the invasion

they exist
I’ve observed evidence

but it is day’s end
the Brin sun is slowly setting
moonlight will soon bathe
this exotic terrain

our moon still orbits
compatible with their terraforming

early shadows fall across my face
a foreboding settles upon me

there are many shadows now
odd shadows
disturbing specters
that disrupt my nights
disquiet my soul
steal my peace

they come unannounced
almost imperceptible

but no time for worry
there is still far to go
yet here I still stand

captivated

by the haunting
yet terrifying beauty
that is our altered planet

I shudder and sober
turn into the evening breeze
and venture onward
immersed in the eerie blue glow
of the now dimming Brin sun

I am eager to move
drawn by the need to reach my shelter
to reach safety

there are other shelters
so I continue my search
for others still alive
as is now my daily routine
which includes hunting for fuel
used to heat and cook

I burn a pulpy Brin plant
which they call Griscalka
now plentiful on earth

I hunt the Masocca
a Brin wild animal
which I discovered is edible

I scrounge for water
unfortunately not plentiful
but it is part of the Brin ecosystem

in this moment
exhausted
feelings of loss sweep over me
clouding briefly my focus

then they waft
I see across the darkening valley
my shelter
my safety

I’m caught
by a thought

our ancient ancestors
built these fallout shelters
to protect human life

but they never imagined
it would be the remaining few
of all humanity
they’d protect
from predatory extraterrestrials

~ ~ ~

Brin Primest Elite – male 087C8556-DF39-4ECD-A747-D776BAF8E6BF

Brin Queen 8A62E9B3-04F7-4312-B689-E401F70F97C2

9272C11D-31F8-4CF9-9E49-036963C3CDC4
Original DDE™ surreal art: “Brin Troop Assault Vehicle” by: rob kistner © 11/18/24

TO POSSIBLY BE CONTINUED…
This poem was my way of allowing earth, with outside help from the Brin, to strike back and wake we humans up to how we have mistreated our mother Gia. I took my vision of this piece much further in my mind. In the scenario I had imagined, this was several hundred years in the future and there had been a second phase of higher tech shelters built and concealed worldwide, around the year 2100, in response to another wave of significant global conflict, among the people of earth — long before there was even any awareness of the Brin, or that any other extraterrestrials existed. So if the few survivors of the Brin invasion made it to the shelters around the globe — then it would depend on how well the world fared against the Brin. I haven’t yet thought what the number of human survivors might be though. Remember, a number of survivors have been captured and enslaved by the Brin, so there is a potential of more humans escaping into the landscape as well. I would say a total of 20-25% of the world population survived the initial Brin onslaught. Some now imprisoned, some now on the run as fugitives around the globe — not sure right now how those two groups would break down in number. Also, here is a critical point impacting the taking of this story forward. The human communication grid on the earth’s surface is destroyed. However, there is still one communication satellite remaining in orbit, there’s just no way to link to it. Or, might that be painstakingly possible, with major effort by the right faction of fugitives (maybe even some Brin sympathizers)? Hmmmm… One final fact perhaps to consider — the Brin may have enemies out in the universe, capable of space travel. — — Anyway… That is the likely overall situation in which this story could continue?

Click to check out more ”Fallout” poems at Toads

Click below to read poems at dVerse:
https://dversepoets.com/2019/09/19/ever-been-close-to-a-whale/

Captured Light

We’ve watched golden fire clouds, hanging in the bright cerulean skies, here over the azure seas of our Toluras home. We have walked to anointment here, on the sacred Path of Captured Light. We’ve seen the copper leaves of the Parmus fronds, flashing from our Indigo Mountains, in the crisp crystal Gemin mists.

We have strolled quietly, hand in hand, in the lush emerald meadows of Telma, sharing its golden Angel Fruit, sweet as our stolen kisses. We’ve heard the haunting call of the coral winged Lellurt, in Droon’s violet skies, over teal Darpin Bay.

We have beheld exquisite beauty in our rich, full life — but none so breathtaking, my love, as your eyes tonight. Now fate deems I must go. If you find yourself lonely, missing me, look into the night sky. The eternal splendor it holds is our everlasting love.

so please, once more love
come look at the stars with me
they are beautiful