Wind On the Water



Original digital hyperealistic art: “Bearing The Sorrow”Triptych
 

My valley life
was not kind to me
I needed to be free
…bottled up my sorrow
changed my destiny

so I came the river’s way
to find a better day
to set root and see
was this a home for me

so I put seed to field
hoping that it would yield
it took root reluctantly
with no abundancy

the river quenched
tilled earthen thirst
promise reigned true
…at first
but time did not deliver
the promise of the river

now chill wind
‘cross the water blows
not every blossom grows
I bottle heart ache now
because this truth it knows
regret is the seed
that sorrow sows

— and yes
ever the river flows


Original digital surrealistic art:
“River of Regret”
by: rob kistner © 8/22/23

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rob kistner © 8/17/23
Poetry at: dVerse

 


https://youtu.be/uK6raGAPTZo

 

This last song has a once removed relevance to this post, as it relates to disillusionment and sorrow. I have always loved it since first I performed it with my band as a frequently requested cover — a way way way long time ago, when it was first released by Quicksilver. It has been on my mind in recent months. So very sad that 53 years later it rings as true and relevant as it did in 1970.

30 thoughts on “Wind On the Water”

  1. Such sadness in this one… but at the same time, it feels silky on the tongue… I had to read it out loud, very beautiful.
    “but time
    did not deliver
    the promise of the river”
    ‘Love those lines… a wonderful take on the prompt!

  2. We’re too high up here on the top of Telfer Hill to have anything more than the (small) tricklestream, but I’ll never be too high to appreciate your fine work, Rob. Thanks

  3. This a lyrical poem, Rob, and would make a lovely ballad – a sad song. I love the sounds in the lines:
    ‘the river
    quenched earthen thirst
    promise reigned true
    at first’
    and the despair in:
    ‘now chill wind
    ‘cross the water blows
    not every blossom grows
    I bottle heart ache now’.

    1. Thank you Kim… I felt the lyricism as I was writing. The truth is, it kind of came naturally. I’m not going to say it was easy, but this is a special writing experience for me. I came pretty quickly. I don’t know if it all makes sense — it did to me, and I like the way it sounds… so thank you for recognizing the lyrical aspect. The first line that came was “now chill wind ‘cross the water blows”.

  4. Bottling the heartache…..I can understand those words. I especially am struck by the last 6 lines and the beautiful illustration at the end.

  5. “””” I bottle heart ache now / because this truth it knows / regret is the seed / that sorrow sows “”””” I don’t normally copy and paste, this is one time I so loved the line, I could not resist. Bravo, Rob.

    1. Eternal Joni. I have been watching Joni with Brandi Carlisle from the 2022 Newport Folk Festival. Joni singing the arrangement she did at that event, of “Both Sides Now” is stunning. The wisdom and richness of her voice that day on that song, is a treasure to behold.

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