July 2019 – Image & Verse

No Relief

This is a memory of the 1940’s and 1950’s, when I grew up in the HOT HUMID STAGNANT 95/95 (heat/humidity) Ohio River Valley summers. OPPRESSIVE! We would offten have to sleep in screened-in “summer rooms” — porches with overhead fans trying to beat the heat, that soaked your bed, while protecting yourself from the hordes of July/August mosquitos.

No Relief

relentless din of crawling prowling night
pours steaming through my window
midnight intrudes damp and searing
insistent

scalded air too hot and thick to breathe
a heat to suffocate
blades beat and drone overhead
promising relief
in vain

sweltered darkness lays heavy upon me
unbearable

I toss in labored half-sleep
gasping for cool relief
restless

I inhale deep to fill my lungs
seeking satisfying breath
only to bake them in cruel heat
no relief

salted droplets trace my spine
baste my neck
pool in the hollow of my fevered chest
bloom and seep
from beneath the smother
of matted soak atop my head
to weep their way ‘cross smoldering brow
into my eyes
and sting

in this nocturnal furnace
night clings and stifles
even dreams are scorched
simmering in summer

~ ~ ~

Click below to check out the hot times at dVerse:

Hot time in ye ole pub tonight!

Blazing Passion

WARNING: Not For Everyone!

~ a hot little poem about my “first time” ~
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Blazing Passion

I will not forget you
my memory still burns
in smouldering recollection
of the first time
my eyes fell upon
your luscious curves

skin smooth as satin
bathed in amber glow
as you lay before me
seductive in the summer sunset

you torched my imagination
ignited my spirit
fired my soul

I wanted you so badly
to fondle you with fingertips
caress you with trembling lips
you promised such sweetness

but I’d been warned by others
who had dared partake
of your fiery charms

“it will end in tears” they said
but I did not heed their counsel

wholly and utterly seduced
I fell upon you hungrily
taking you passionately

in the lust filled moment
our union flared
hot as lava
scorching as an August sun

I was swept away
as I consumed your charms
aflame with desire
as I tasted sweet
your forbidden fruit

in a wanton blaze
I took my fill
but just as quickly
it ended

regrettably
I should have listened
they knew you all too well

you burned me badly
and left me crying
but I never will forget you…

habanero!

~ ~ ~

The habanero is one of the hottest chili’s on earth!

Click below to check out the hot times at dVerse:

Hot time in ye ole pub tonight!

Freckled Charms

“This is a Quadrille, a poem of 44 words.”
kath400

My feisty “freckle-faced” wife, Kathleen Elaine McCullough-Kistner, a fine Irish lass!

Freckled Charms

hey there freckle face
ya’ got freckles
all over the place

got ‘em on your face
‘specially on your nose
you got freckles
down to your toes

got ‘em on your hands
and up your arms
and what’s even better

you got freckled *charms!

~ ~ ~

Click below to see what the freckle is going on at dVerse:

Quadrille #84

* beautiful, bold, unpredictable, adventurous

Freckled Sterling

“This is a Quadrille, a poem of 44 words.”
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Freckled Sterling

I’ll never forget
the bright copper stand
reflecting fire-like
‘cross the mirrored lake

mimicking the blaze
scorching my heart
my burning love
for only you

nor the night sky
deep and vast
freckled sterling
above our heads

that precious moment
when first we kissed

~ ~ ~

Click below to see what the freckle is going on at dVerse:

Quadrille #84

Wings of Trust

“This is a Quadrille, a poem of 44 words.”

“One Day I’ll Fly Away” — by: Hayley Roberts

Wings of Trust

I carry my dreams
in open freckled hands
so promise’s breeze
catches them to soar

I bestow my dreams
wings of trust
to carry me
to wisdom’s shore

I share my dreams
with an open mind
so resonant truth
inspires me to be more

~ ~ ~

Click below to see what the freckle is going on at dVerse:

Quadrille #84

Click to check out what’s taken off at Sunday Muse

Homesong

Homesong

late afternoon descends upon this land
my homeward stride — ever brisk and steady
held golden in the downing sun’s embrace

early shadows fall softly ‘cross my face
as peaceful vesper’s rich velvet blanket
drapes its soothing comfort ‘round my shoulders

eager I keep pace — as ends my journey
drawn by the beauty rendered before me
splendored by the rising moon in sunset

I’m welcomed by the freshened eve’ning breeze
as sundown’s amber wanes upon the lane
last light slips slow over far horizon

fog soon will rise and waft — full in moonlight
as darkness falls quiet on the valley
our home hearth’s glow will warm chill silvered night

my heart soars — lifted by this wondrous sight
our sterling stream cascades its serenade
to enwrap my soul in tender homesong

~ ~ ~

Click to check out the coming evening at Toads

In Stillness

In Stillness

sun sits low over the horizon
dusk slowly advances
the chill of night begins to settle
all the dreams have gone to bed

I sit quiet
at peace in this stillness
close by this fire
soothed by its crackling glow
warmed by the memories
that huddle ’round me

you are here
quiet in my memories
I like that you are still
with me in my heart
this recall is a sweet ache

other memories come
from near and far
into the past

they drift forward
through the years
to visit gently
one by one

memories of others
I’ve been blessed to love
a tender tear for every one

there is a sweetness fills the air
just a touch of soft regret

my heart is full
my spirit calm
a peaceful surrender
to fate’s embrace

would that this evening never end
but soon the flames will falter
as the lingering embers die

as darkness blankets my chamber
I pray

when I am called among the memories
would that I be carried away
in stillness
in sleep

~ ~ ~

Click to check out the stillness at Toads

No option

Inspired by my near death experience and the current challenge of
my cardiac rehabilitation, following the implanting of my pacemaker.

No Option

stopping is no option

to lose the pace
is to still keep going
keep moving forward
lest one be rutted in uncertainty
rigid with the rigor of fear
stalled in hopelessness

paralyzed
by the giving in
the giving up
caught in anguish
with the loss of belief
when grip lets go of dream

arthritic is loss of faith
debilitates the spirit
cripples the manifest light
that shines forth
at the sacred leap
into the dark unknown

but stopping is no option

frozen is the doubting man
withered in a worried cage
terrified of the wrong step
of the journey all in
of daring the way unmarked
to the destination uncertain

thus he bleeds out
loses the color of life
to become cold and grey
mired in regret
for never having shone so brightly
as to blind the eyes of death

stopping is no option

~ ~ ~

Click below to see what’s movin’ at dVerse:

Poetics: Movement

Well Traveled

The journey enriches the soul, wisdom makes the destination meaningful.

Well Traveled

from here
the road ahead
is traveled differently

a shorter stride
a stiffened gait
a lessened pace
guarantees it so

but being long a traveler
provides insight
to match the bruise and scars
of years and miles

and the will to move
can best the journey
where wisdom is employed

questions arise

what destination now
what provisions available
what light remains

with no destination
there is no journey
only aimless wander
and provisions grow scarce
the light more precious

loss of purpose
lack of focus
hastens journey’s failure

at this distance
this late hour
failure is not an option

so I will continue forth
eyes down the road
one foot then the other
in steady stride
mindful of the journey
holding to the dream

to arrive with love
spirit whole
full spent
from a road well traveled

~ ~ ~

Click below to see what’s movin’ at dVerse:

Poetics: Movement

Moon At Our Window

Moon At Our Window

In this moonlit forest, midnight shimmers through the mist-covered boughs of old growth, as if star clusters are dancing on the branches. Deep and still, mirroring the moon in the night sky, our high-mountain lake glows like cerulean satin. This night holds a sacred silence, save for a great white owl, echoing from the cedars, across the water.

We are lover and beloved, entwined in the pre-dawn, half awake, entranced by the spectacle outside our window. I turn to her whispering, “how long have I been awake?” I don’t really want to know. I’d rather lie here in her arms, falling again into gentle slumber.

Snuggling against me, her head on my shoulder, in her sleepy voice she says, “I awoke enwrapped in this wonderful moonlight, feeling filled with love!” Smiling, I say softly, “last night, my love, I dreamt I was the moon.”

~ ~ ~

Click below for work by other moonstruck dVerse poets:

Prosery #2

Hi! I’m Edgrrr, rob’s shih tzu.
Edgrrr offers you this special bonus moon tanka.
Moon Moon

~
moon moon bold and bright
silver in black satin sky
bare your sterling soul

your pre-dawn morning magic
shimmers ‘cross this sleeping world

~ ~ ~

Lil’Queen’s Warning

~ Lil’Queen’s humorous Dizain of disdain ~

Lil’Queen’s Warning

I’m bad as brass knuckles and smooth as silk
I’m lush and lazy — and I ain’t no fool
my name’s Lil’Queen and I’m cravin’ fresh milk
I prance like a royal — regal and cool
I prowl like a panther — ‘cause those cats rule
I take no lip from no-bo-dy-no-way
get on my radar and you better pray
I’m a hip kitty and I got no fear
so sit back, shut up, and hear what I say
betta’ steer clear dear — whenever I’m near

~ ~ ~

Click below to read more dizains at dVerse:

Poetry Form: Dizain

Click to check out Lil’Queen & Ziggy

Lil’Queen & Ziggy

~ best read with a rollin’ juke-jive rhythm ~

Lil’Queen & Ziggy

look at me — here, on this beautiful silk
I’m black as midnight and I’m cravin’ milk

I prance like a royal — regal and lean
I prowl like a panther — deadly and mean

I’m lush and lazy and I’m no ones fool
got a bad-ass human and we’re both cool

we take no lip from no-bo-dy-no-way
get on our radar and you better pray

we’re tough as leather and we got no fear
and I got somethin’ I wancha’ t’hear

so sit back and shut up and don’t be rude
I’m gonna tell you ‘bout my bad-ass dude

he rolls with a finger-snap jazz-jive strut
don’t mess with him ’cause you might get cut

he wears silken, french-cuffed, ivory shirts
they are soft as butter-sweet cream desserts

got diamond cufflinks of pure white gold
he’s high fashion treasure – precious and bold

pearl stick-pinned, satin tie — it’s knotted tight
lookin’ like Paris on Saturday night

desert-tan gabardine three-pleated slacks
euro-cuffed, steam creased — they are sharp as tacks

soft snakeskin braces buttoned sterling bright
hip — and killer as a rattlesnake’s bite

black-patton striders with real ‘gator spats
we step out classy as the coolest cats

red pinstriped linen coat double-breasted
pure uptown savvy — teal velvet vested

sportin’ a full-blocked, rolled-brim, felt chapeau
in the deepest red of a fine bordeaux

we’re crisp and smooth as a dry martini
he calls me Lil’Queen — his name is Ziggy

~ ~ ~

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rq7fuCRJULk
Zoot Suit Riot – Cherry Poppin’ Daddies

Digga Digga Doo – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Click below to check out what’s jumpin’ at dVerse:

Open Link Night #247

Click to check out more cool cats at Sunday Muse

Read Lil’Queen’s WARNING!

Hi! I’m Edgrrr, rob’s shih tzu.

Moving On

Moving On

you smile so sweetly as you break my heart
then you kiss my lips, set my soul aglow
with a promise that we will never part
saying you’ll never leave — then off you go
can I trust you, love, I just do not know

you say you love me, but are you sincere
your credibility is weak my dear
all the evidence points the other way
i’m just not sure, the truth is so unclear
so goodbye — I’ll be moving on today

~ ~ ~

Click below to read more dizains at dVerse:

Poetry Form: Dizain

5 American Sentences

“American Sentences are cool. Wrote my first one in 2009.”

American Sentences were conceived by Allen Ginsberg (above) in 1984.

I wrote these 5, messin’ with American Sentences since 0 – 9.

To just try to fly will not work, unless you are expecting to soar.

Allen was howl’n, pal’n with Corso, but still long’n for Peter.

The one sure thing I’ve learned is, every day of life is a lesson.

If you are not going to do anything about it, shut your mouth.

rob kistner @ 2009
revised @ 2019

Click to check out more American Sentences at Sunday Muse

Hi! I’m Edgrrr, rob’s shih tzu.

Time’s Witness

“This is only fiction if we wake up”

Time’s Witness

we’ve watched helplessly
as generations receded
as empires crumbled
greed ran rampant
as civilizations
stumbled on
so disconnected
from one another
so sadly out of touch
with the environment
as the natural world
slowly declined
diminished
withered
scarred
as the
putrid
toxic air
permeated
burnt terrain
to far horizons
until now I stand
thrusting skyward
in this decaying hell
one last dying thing
one pitiful survivor
one final sentinel
time’s witness
watching
the end

~ ~ ~

Click below to read more climate change insight at dVerse:

dVerse Poetics: On Climate Crisis

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