Image & Verse – To dream the world alive

A Dragon Rises

Original digital surreal art: “Evil Incarnate” by: rob kistner © 11/29/24

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

*
rob kistner © 2024

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

Original digital surreal art: “Brin Mothership” by: rob kistner © 11/18/24

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Original digital surreal art: “Brin Troop Assault Vehicle” by: rob kistner © 11/18/24

Original digital surreal art: “Terraformer Venicle” by: rob kistner © 11/18/24

Original digital surreal art: “Rapid Ship to Surface Shuttle” 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

Original digital surreal art: “Path of Captured Light” by: rob kistner © 11/18/24

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

*
rob kistner © 11/18/24
Poetry at: dVerse

Fiddler’s Green

~ Sometimes, the storm is not out there, but within us. ~

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Storm Tossed” by: rob kistner © 11/14/23

~ A SEA SHANTY ~

—< § >—

Loved my life — yet life felt empty
was then I looked the water’s way
a racing sailor’s life for me

a solo skiff to set me free
a schooner for a crewing day
a racing sailor’s life for me

I sailed with speed to victory
this racing life blew me away
a racing sailor’s life for me

sometimes the sea roared angrily
sometimes a peaceful rocking sway
a racing sailor’s life for me

I raced no fear relentlessly
and lived my dream life ev’ry’day
a racing sailor’s life for me

weather harsh or weather kindly
in gratitude I’d always pray
a racing sailor’s life for me

the oceans roll and trade winds blow
I now ride heaven’s ebb and flow

*
rob kistner © 2024

Poetry at: dVerse

Southern Cross — a constellation used for navigation in the southern oceans.

Fiddler’s Green — a sailor’s heaven for those lost at sea.

Fragile

MY INSPIRATIONS FOR THIS PIECE: “ i imagine that yes is the only living thing and i imagine that hope is the only stopping place.” — e e cummings

——-——<§>——-——

The fragile, unpredictable, but often surprising power of hope! Never give up!

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Fragile & Vulnerable” by: rob kistner © 11/12/23

Making a gaudy show of leaving
hoping she would turn and stop him
walking out the door – he’s hoping
always looking back and hoping
wondering her change o’season
hoping it would matter to her
hoping that an empty place
would open in her heart
that only he could fill
he’s hurt and fragile
hoping his leaving
left such a void
hoping deeply
ever hoping
a lost leaf
blowing
away
sad
so
§
as
a lone
brittle leaf
lost n’stranded on
life’s hardened highway
can be so easily crushed
by apathy’s traffic
so sadly hope
can too
be

but so too can be the surprising power of hope ~ if one strives !

*
rob kistner © 2024

Poetry at: dVerse

What the…

Trying to find even a small smile midst these tears of horror!

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Oh Horrors” by: rob kistner © 11/8/24

What the…
how’d this happen again

the fascist megalomaniac’s back
spewing his racist
misogynistic
shit

he ain’t morally fit

the jerk-wad’s a criminal
his message ain’t subliminal

it’s right there in your face
he’s a damned disgrace

the 3%’s in luck

rest’o’us…
we’re fucked!
*
rob kistner © 2024

Poetry at: dVerse

The Cruel Sun

The evil glare of Trump’s cruel sun scorches decency…
he should never have been allowed to rise again.
And yet we, as a supposed decent people, have failed again — unimaginably!
The war to dismantle America began without a single shot — and we’re losing.

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Cruel Sun” by: rob kistner © 2/15/24

Vivid

in this waking dream
this nightmare
I see shapes of faces
scabbed unsmiling lips

their void curve
denounce this time

they’re escaping the scald
fleeing the cruel sun
as fate is dancin’
broken in the moonlight

the victimized
yet unseen
blackened and charred
by the agenda
of this abomination
this cruel sun

they bemoan
their soul’s duality

realizing
the divergent reality
through which
their truth
stumbles blind

to move in the world
rough as a rope
taut as every false promise made

frayed as feigned wisdom
leaned in
whispered from behind
obscured by the backhand

I reach
to grab at time
like dropped money

ever more precious

doing so
I feel the shiver
the sad imbalance

it’s a confliction
in the omnisoul
in my soul

so
I’ll practice non-attachment
because I can

knowing
I must
in this time

and observe
the lonely lost
who’ve trapped their truth
in dreams
locked in a wired cage

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Caged Dreams”
by: rob kistner © 2/15/24

wholly removed
indifferent

but still
pieces of me
of my sorrow
stick to them

to whomever
gets too close

you may have seen me
sobbing

silhouetted against the sky
that coldest night in November
cowering
under the frozen moon

then that moon and I
sought to escape
running down corridors of time

from genuine memory
through illusion
hiding from the devious
cruel sun

the whole world
close enough to touch

yet distant
distracted

past false truth
past illusion
past hypocrisy
past monomaniacal delusion

heaped and layered
thick and deep

oh please
peel back
these poisoned layers

peel them away
to clear the way
for a clean
quivering soul

uncertain
but imbued with
curiosity for possibility

because these stale
cutting thoughts
infect my thoughts
making them too pressing
too heavy to hold

or chew
or swallow
or lug
in this massive bag
of regret

my thoughts
my madness

spawned in the bone-white lies
of morality plays
immorality plays
mortality plays

I will play a dirge
sing a bittersweet song
as we come together
as we join
to peel back
all these noxious layers

these brackish
thought
layers

held fast and firm
by this oppressive
cruel sun

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Oh Horrors”
by: rob kistner © 11/8/24

seared into my soul
by that caustic smile
that baboonish grin
that devious faux smile
that sours to bitter
in the brittle grey
that settles
like a shroud
through the overcast
in these dark days

a brandished
weaponized smile
a lethal smile

his radar eyes
scan the forgotten creases
and clandestine getaways
in our minds

squelching our truth

standing over
he looks down
icy eye’d

he sees my scabbed lips
cracked and dry
“cruel sun gotcha”
he smirks
with lethal contempt

let us all cry out
“no more”

let us rip away
this venom
this lethal virus
this heartless evil
so that a new dawn
a new sun will rise
spread its light
and warm our hearts
with the radiance of rebirth

let enlightenment rain
let love pour down
drown this cruel sun
and rekindle the flame of hope

or perhaps a brave savior
wielding the lightning
to solve this blight

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Flame of Hope”
by: rob kistner © 2/15/24

*
rob kistner © 2021-2024

Poetry at: dVerse

A dramatic shift in how conflicts now unfold has successfully occurred. Rather than relying on traditional military might, nations and groups now effectively leverage the power of information, ideas, and technology to shape public opinion, influence political outcomes, and create division. This type of conflict—often described as “information warfare”—involves the strategic use of propaganda, misinformation, and blatant lies, supported by clever cyber tactics to undermine traditionally strong societies from within.

In an interconnected world where people get their information online, the battle for hearts and minds now takes place in virtual spaces. Cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, and the manipulation of social media to stir mistrust and dread, while disrupting economies, weakening trust in institutions, and sowing discord among citizens. These tools are as powerful as, if not more so than, physical weapons, especially when they influence the very fabric of a society’s beliefs and values. World War III is upon us, being waged with weapons more devious and destructive than military. WAKE UP!

Joy Rises

Inspired by my ongoing fantasy of flying.

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Low Altitude Space-Glider” by: rob kistner © 11/5/24

Joy rises
over the earth today
as the thermals
‘neath my wings
lift them to soaring

it’s off into space
my dreams I’m exploring

lifting me aloft
in free floating flight
my spirit’s alive
in this sacred delight

left to my heart’s abandon
my destination random

I hear the earth’s whisper
the breeze’s sigh

they say
this is how it feels to fly

the soft sounds waft
lilting into the sky

I’m lifting
drifting
as high
and far
as thermals will permit

my searching soul
eager to submit
as I feel the winds
take me

soaring high
into a brilliant sky

leaving the clouds
far below
like ever rolling
pillow‘d snow

until all I hear
murmuring in my ear
is the voice
of the breeze
and the song
in my soul

watching the world
bend away
over the infinite horizon

I see life
from a new perspective

seeking clarity
my new-found objective

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Child’s Flight’o’Fancy”
by: rob kistner © 11/5/24

my dream since a child
to soar the blue heaven’s wild

that my young prayer be heard
to fly like a bird

now is when
I at last begin
the revealing journey
far out and deep in

swept up
and away
in ever-climbing rise
ascending today
with wide open eyes

high above this world of ours
the tiny blue planet
among the vast stars

into low altitude
outer-space
a child’s smile
upon my face

silently upward
as joy rises

*
rob kistner © 2024

More Poetry at: d’Verse

River of Time

“Time does not pass, it continues — with or without us.”

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “River of Time” by: rob kistner © 11/4/24

A traveler on this river called time, it ever flows within my mind. It rolls onward, I ride its tide. Much I’ve seen, much I’ve experienced, much I’ve missed, much left behind. Yet I carry on, to seek, to find. I grip tightly to this strand continuum, doing so mindfully.

I’ve encountered the unknown, lost my way and suffered sorrow. I’ve embraced such wonder, finding enlightenment, a newborne tomorrow. I’ve understood and known joy. Losing confidence, I’ve acted coy. Misunderstood and known tears. Been overwhelmed and known fears. But ever on this river rushes, and I will ever flow.

I will follow the changing moon, out of the ninth-month midnight, through December’s cold, to the warmth of June. Through time’s extremes, to hold the dreams I embrace as mine. To live in the elusive now, the held breath in the current of time.

*
rob kistner © 2024

Poetry at: dVerse

Knock Knock

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Knock Knock” by: rob kistner © 10/28/23

It’s nightfall
the darkness now descends
the hand of grief extends
horror chills me to my core

it’s nightfall
words of horror stain my lips
sweetness slips through my fingertips
and scatters ‘cross the floor

it’s nightfall
the shadows stoke my fears
a voice of dread rings in my ears
I am broken evermore

it’s nightfall
dark waves of misery
are rising like the sea
I am stranded on the shore

it’s nightfall
would I were alone
confusion grips me to the bone
terror is knock-knocking at the door

it’s nightfall
I hear you call my name
I’m about to go insane
I just can’t take it anymore

again you call my name
yet again you call my name
with all the knocking at the door
I really can’t take it anymore

finally I scream
“yes dear! — I can hear!”

you shout — “my feet are sore
answer the damned door”

“or those trick’r’treaters
will knock — forevermore”

*
rob kistner © 2023-24

Poetry at: dVerse

More poetry at: Poets & Storytellers

Poetry at: WGO

Forever Mine

Happy Halloween!
ALERT… This is a very dark, haunting piece. …ALERT!

Original DDE™ digital surreal art: “Love Is Blind” by: rob kistner © 10/29/24

Do you think
you’re not still my slave
since digging yourself from that earthen grave

since you sullied your delicate hands
clawing up and out of my bottom lands

do you think you’re safe

think perhaps that I don’t know
where you are as you come and go

do you think that I don’t feel you
with my every breath
that I don’t breathe you

really – don’t you

do you think at all
my love

anytime I want you
you are mine

anytime…

…well now
look who’s finally awake
quite a long nap you chose to take

…what love, where are you?

…surprise…
you are here where you belong
with me — my love

you like your leathers
I hope you do
I picked them out love
just for you

you know I love you
you love me too
we have a love uncommon
you know we do

don’t you

you are mine
it’s true

forever

your every move is known to me
your every thought is mine to see

every fear
mine to trigger
and every fear is growing bigger

I am the ghost
haunting your lair
I am your uttermost secret terror

you will not know
whence I may come
I am the shadow you are running from

the stranger hidden across the street
the sudden sound that startles you
from deep in sleep

so cling mindlessly to your false hope
as ‘round your slender neck
I slip my rope

…my love — I’m so, so sorry…

you think I’m mad
well that may be
but that’s too bad

for you
not me

you pray they catch me
we’ll see
won’t we

your nightmare is I’ll not be caught
your dream’s come true
for I will naught

you hope I make a big mistake
dare a close call
risk my downfall

you sense your time is short
the hour is late
you feel the weight
the grip of fate

you think you might escape
get away
run free

…my love — I’m so, so sorry…
but that will never be
there is no such risk for me

for I am brilliant
wicked cunning
you’ve felt my power
is it not stunning

does my magnificence make you afraid
knowing ‘cross your neck
I may slide my blade

as I’m creeping quiet from behind
to steal your life
as I am so inclined

as terror shivers
up and down your spine
remember always

you — are — mine

forever mine
til the day you die
and this is that day

so — m’love…

…goodbye

Poetry at: dVerse

Poetry at: WGO

That Kiss

That kiss in the moonlight
that starry autumn night
as passion’s fire burned bright

aflame was our urgent need
hot was that stolen moment
emblazoned was our lover’s promise
in that distant smoldering midnight…

…sweet memories of our fiery love
stir my heart tonight

Poetry at: dVerse

Neuralspace

“A dream is not reality but who’s to say which is which?” – Lewis Carroll

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Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Dimension of Dreams” by: rob kistner © 10/24/24

Between wakefulness
and rem
there is a place
a dimension that I know
a dimension that I roam

that dimension
the neuralspace of dreams
of fantasy
of illusion
where imagination roams

a place where poetry lurks

it is here I pursue
the fleeting
elusive
words

le verset tient mon âme

down the street of the sky
here night walks
scattering poems
inspired dreams of truth
enthralling dreams of wonder

night releases the dreams
the poems
from unclenched
open hands of truth
hands of enchantment

to be blessed
in love’s wellspring
by fey luna
with the aura
of magic
and enlightenment

so the winds of vision
can realize this night
to collect them
lifting them to full promise

to poems of clarity
of open mind
of true heart
of steeled spirit

meant to embrace
meant to inspire
meant to enchant

and to be more
still

le verset tient mon âme

so listen
think wondrous thoughts

the hours now rise
putting off stars
casting spells

and it is dawn

awake now…

in the street of the sky
light walks
moving in a sound of silence
scattering poems anew

listen…

be ready

Poetry at:d’Verse

Poetry at:Poets & Storytellers

Fractal Fantasy

“Come with me, and you will be, in a world of pure imagination” – Anthony Newley

Come with me, my spell you’re under
it is a magic of a most splendorous kind
a wilding world of pure cornucopic wonder
here, treasure troves of dreams to plunder
in this kingdom of your expanding mind

come with me to mystical ports of call
we’re no longer tethered to mere mortal
soar high above the mythic wonderwall
now swept up in this miracle protocol
we’re full sail through mystery’s portal

come with me to a fractal paradise
far beyond anything one can imagine
geometric forms flowing so precise
seemingly organic, yet quite concise
they’re rolling out, as they fold back in

come — beyond fantasy’s elaboration
a world your mind alone cannot beget
it’s a wondrously sweet hallucination
it will boggle your fired imagination
what you will see you will never forget
so… come with me — yes, come with me

Poetry at:d’Verse

Larch Magic

Original DDE™ digital surreal art: “Larch Magic” by: rob kistner © 10/22/24

Autumn here in the Pacific Northwestern United States is the season of emeralds and gold. The emeralds emanate from the many types of conifers that grow tall and plentiful here in this beautiful region, staying brilliant shades of green year-round. But the gold, that is the magic, and it’s a fleeting wonder that happens only in the Fall season. The source of this prestidigital marvel of nature is a geographically limited pine tree known as the Larch.

Larches are like a pot of gold here in the Fall hiking season. Their flaming yellow needles turn a Cascade Mountain landscape into something ethereal and otherworldly. The few short weeks, during mid-Autumn when the larches’ needles turn golden, make them all the more precious to spot. I call it the season of “Larch Magic.”

As splendrous as gold
cascade mountain larches make
autumn spellbinding

Poetry at: d’Verse