Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Almost Home” — by: rob kistner © 12/4/23
I was, where I am, when the snow began. Here, lost in reverie, remembering driving home for Christmas from the airport on a snowy night, after a long business trip — a memory triggered by this snowfall.
I remember the ruby chains of taillights, sparkling in the snowflakes, that floated to earth. Chains that stretched into darkness, over the horizon, pulling me along the freeway, home to you.
Exiting the interstate, I’d seek our country lane. I could make that left turn in my sleep. I’d envision every bend, every rise, every dip, stirring my heart. Finally came the drum roll of my tires, trundling the narrow wooden bridge, that spans the mountain stream — almost home.
Then parking, I’d turn off the motor, and crunch my way through fresh snow, as the front door opened. You’d come, bringing warmth — chai tea, and your loving arms.
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Warmth” — by: rob kistner © 12/4/23
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rob kistner © 2023
Poetry at: dVerse
I love the contrast of the ‘ruby chains of taillights, sparkling in the snowflakes’, Rob, and the warmth of the ending made me glow too!
Thank you Kim… 🙂
Beautiful, Rob. I could picture every minute of this. I also really liked
“the ruby chains of taillights, sparkling in the snowflakes.” It’s a wonderful image!
Thank you Merril. Whenever I’d be driving behind a long chain of cars, especially in the rain or in the snow, and it was night, and everybody’s taillights were on — I’d squint my eyes a little bit and make them all turn into little stars. It was especially nice when brake lights would go on and off it would increase the impression of sparkling stones. That always reminded me of like a chain of rubies, or garnets, or some sort of red precious stone. I am glad this line resonated for you, my friend, it was very satisfying when it popped into my head… 🙂
Such a visual wonderful trip to a warm home… love it.
Thank you very much, Björn, I truly appreciate your kind words… 🙂
Beautiful prose, Rob. ‘Drumroll of the tires’ my favorite words. You made it come to life with color and sound.
Thank you Helen, very much. Driving over those old Plankwood bridges always made the tires rumble like a drumroll in my mind. Appreciate you related to that image my friend… 🙂
The ruby chains of tail lights and the snowflakes lovely.
Thank you Jane… 🙂
‘Finally came the drum roll of my tires, trundling the narrow wooden bridge, that spans the mountain stream — almost home.’ ~ perfection!
Thank you Carol, very much — your gracious word appreciated… 🙂
Rob, I feel like I was there with you, seeing and hearing every bit of the images in your story. Your use of light on the snow in that top digital image is amazing.
Thank you Lisa. That was pulled from memories. I have returning home from being down on Skywalker Ranch. My office was down in Marin county California when I was working with Lucasfilm — so I would come home to Portland every Thursday night, and that would be the trip from the airport to our house. Kathy would always greet me. That was a sweet time. I’m glad you appreciate the light that I created on that digital image. Initially after I had coded the extrapolations through the render bot a number of times, it was pretty bright. So I ran it through Photoshop and Illustrator several times, playing with contrast to get that dramatic kind of lighting affect. I liked it and I’m glad you did too.
A beautiful memory and testimony to love Rob, which warms midst the references to the cold of snow and the distance travelled.
Thank you Paul… 🙂