Author: Rob Kistner

 
My theatre’s now just empty red seats
the street out front — an empty avenue
no one comes view these cinematic feats
nor the celluloid fantasies I knew
the projector’s a beaut, still shine’n bright
casting cine-magic on the big screen
but the joint’s abandoned night after night
my theater’s now COVID’s haunted scene
sadly a victim of something obscene

we try to grasp why this horrible plague
how could we humans unleash such a scourge
when ask where it came from answers seem vague
as earth chants a bitter funeral dirge
arrogance serves to block true solution
as impatience helps continue the spread
is this the time we pay retribution
is this the end time as many have said
we must reflect as we bury our dead

*
rob kistner © 2021

Poetry at: dVerse

Do check out: mindlovemisery’s menageries

Sweet young lust
craving
yet hesitant

innocent bliss
throbbing in the groove
of scorching rock’n’roll

smoldering for some
longing for more
confusion for most

under a starry sky
humid as our urgent embraces
hot as our stolen kisses
in that distant
sizzling
teenage midnight…

*
Lawrence Tieke aka rtkistner © 2021

Poetry at: dVerse

~ it’s all so very very groovy — baby ~

…like a true nature’s child, I was born to be wild…

Left late
on a moonless night
my caddy shine’n bright
a wad’a dolla’s in my hand
visions of the promised land
enticing me ever onward

encountered some unexpected delays
unforeseen bumps in fortune’s highway
but obstacles weren’t turning me away

certainly had my fair share of scrapes
gotten real good at narrow escapes
had the all too frequent bad day
rubbed folks the wrong way
more than a time or two
scuffed my caddy too

lost me a little skin
paint n’patience worn thin
we took some pretty serious hits
saw well laid plans get blown to bits

and though tough times came in bunches
I learned to keep roll’n with the punches
kept the faith to follow my best hunches

my dream
and my caddy
have lost a little lustre
don’t you fret I don’t fluster
because I am on my way
along this highway
to my paradise

and I sure ain’t stoppin’
all signs still point to the promised land
despite having felt fate’s cold hand

been knocked down a time’r two
what I am telling you is true
yes I may be black n’blue
I’m still comin’ through

‘cause I ain’t beaten
ain’t retreatin’

I have left my signature written on the winds
marked in hues and shades of my past sins
each a reminder of the person I have been
and a clear vision of what’ll soon begin
with a promise to never go back again

I’m goin’ where the lights are bright
and miracles happen every night
good luck is in the cards for me
I’ll soon be on a winning spree
figure bad luck is behind me

not completely certain though
‘cause my poor caddy’s
big back window

is fuuuck’d up!

*
rob kistner © 2021

Poetry at: The Sunday Muse

Creative writing at: Poets & Storytellers

Poetry at: dVerse

Curtains hang limp
in the front room windows
through which no breeze
has wafted for days

only hot dead air
hangs like a lazy haze
through which seeps
the crisp sound
of sticky tires
crackling like slow-torn velcro
as cars roll sluggish
down our street
tugging at the molten tar patches
of the sizzled surface

in this freakish September bake
the gerbera daisies droop
panting in their porcelain pineapple pots
toasting on the withered wooden stoop
paint cracked and dry
scorched from neglect

even the silk plant
on the kitchen sill
seems to wilt
as perfectly
we burn a threshold

life in slow motion
as two-digit slowly rolls
into triple-digit heat

the glowing zeroes stare red
from the temperature display
like a pair of burning eyes
vacant as my baked brain
sledged with humid thoughts

I bring cool water
to moisten my sun cracked
parched lips

they do not smile
in this climate aberration
as slowly I simmer
deep in dying summer
seeking autumn’s mercy

*
Lawrence Tieke aka rtkistner © 2021

Poetry at: dVerse

 
Adults argue about the shot
whether they should or should not
we arrogant adults apparently forgot
it’s our children we put on a deadly spot

children back to school sure sounds great
but first — roll up their sleeves and vaccinate
then we dense adults can disagree argue and debate
but protect the innocent before it’s just too damned late

*
rob kistner © 2021

Poetry at: dVerse

*
rob kistner © 2021

Poetry at: dVerse

What I said was
don’t touch
go away
leave me be

while inside
I cried out
draw near
stay with me

you are light
you are pure
you are joy
you are free

I am not
I am dark
I am beast
but now I see

like day
needs the night
like shore
defines the sea

like light
needs darkness
there’s only cold
if there’s heat

requires two
different notes
blended for
pure harmony

we can never
be divided
that is a
fool’s fallacy

like the yin
and the yang
of a wise
philosophy

we exist
only together
I’m in you
you’re in me

*
rob kistner © 2021

Poetry at: The Sunday Muse

Creative writing at: Poets & Storytellers

Poetry at: dVerse

This has nothing to do with the poem, but if you want to spend an incredible 90 minutes with Joni — I cordially invite you to do so.

Here I lived at light’s edge
that pooled in the night
on the bleak winter’d streets
of the sad brokenhearted

I hid in the anguish
of the loveless who cowered
in the dark nightmare alleys
of lost love departed

I fed on the grief
of the ravens that wailed
in the brittle bare branches
of tangled dead promise

this was my heartscape
black as mid-winter night
lightless and leafless
no sun shone above

’til a sad beautiful being
eyes lonely — but true
approached from afar
stirring something remembered

the kindled encounter
saw desire’s spark ignite
long neglected — unexpected
a flame flickered in the embers

afraid to come forward
I held outside the glow
but your tenderness drew me
stirring thoughts of sweeter days

your light pierced my darkness
your warmth thawed my soul
your passion stoked love’s coals
my frozen heart burst to blaze

it was love come
to incinerate my blues
there was nothing I could do

*
rob kistner © 2021

Poetry at: The Sunday Muse

Creative writing at: Poets & Storytellers

 
Hidden from the light of day
here your other self resides
though keeping to the shadows
you know that your dark self abides
you feel him at times — don’t you
feel that his dark thoughts are true

a darkling essence
scarred and damaged
sometimes so strong
barely managed
begotten in another time
another life
rife with fear
with pain and strife
come from far away
from another place
but this dark entity
does wear my face
yes — I see

it is an anger
powerfully manifest
righteous
so long suppressed
that could not find effective voice
to save my ruined innocence
I had not the strength
not the choice

I was silent when I had no name
for what I did not comprehend
I knew I must not shoulder blame
but what to do

I now realize it was my youthful trust
that was betrayed
in these ways
so insidious

sadly was this torment done
by the hand of an entrusted one
concealed from blind society
to inflict hurt and animosity

yet
why do I feel conflicted

I know my molten dark self
I had to forge
in that fire of dire adversity
I hammered out my hardened soul
tempered by survival’s hand
by desperate necessity

look here
look deep into your heart
and see

you rose and fought that abject fear
cradled within your broken heart
you lifted yourself from that veil of sorrow
so as to cling to your peace of mind
to your sanity
to see your way to one more tomorrow
to embrace your courage one more day
to finally stand and say —

no more
no
more

so why do I
feel quilt
for the shame
for the tears I spilt

be quiet, my soul
my dark shadow self
saved my life — I know

am I hardened — yes some
but I’m not stone
I have found real love
I no longer face a life alone

when I look inside myself
what is it that I see
beyond the shadows

I see a man
who better understands
his shadow
his dark self
has it now in his command
who has come through
come true
no guilt

I wonder —
did this darkness that enveloped me
cost me my dignity

no — thankfully
it did not

I need not worry
I’ve a firm grasp on my integrity
so be quiet my soul
he saved me —
my shadow

*
rob kistner © 2021

Poetry at: dVerse

…here — the birth of magic…

 
When I seek the fantastic
only to wonderwall will I go
nothing here is impossible
disbelief’s forbidden though
everything here is so amazing
real mysteries here to know

your imagination is set a’flow
here — no unreasonable idea
dreams and wishes big and small
wonderwall will grant them all

*
rob kistner © 2021

Poetry at: dVerse

Sometimes it is wonderful to turn from the intellect — and just embrace the id!

…the heart wants what the heart wants…

 
W e’re in love
with falling in love

it’s the most captivating
intoxicating
human experience

that thrilling
first freefall
of love’s roller coaster

it is pleasure
beyond measure

should the ride end
the heart often rides again

love lures
with the memory
of that freefall

*
rob kistner © 2021

Poetry at: dVerse

Yo — I’m d’cat
lost m’damned hat
I’m snocker’d n’sleepy
n’ I’m worn flat

juked myself bleary
jived myself crazy
I’m wasted n’weary
n’way beyond hazy

just gonna sit here
restin’ m’head
when the room has stopped spinin’
it’s home — and t’bed

I’m pissed n’frustrated
don’t bother me — pleeez
lost m’damned hat
now can’t find m’keys

m’head aches so shu’dup
I mean it — not a peep
really not in d’mood
crap – I’m fallin’ asleep

can’t keep m’eyes open
ain’t drinkin’ n’more
lost m’hat and m’keys
now can’t find d’damned door

m’takin’ a cat nap
m’so totally done for
g’night — gonna curl up
right here on d’dance floor

*
rob kistner © 2021

Poetry at: The Sunday Muse

Creative writing at: Poets & Storytellers

“Come with me and you’ll be iin a world of pure imagination” – Anthony Newley

Fantastic is this spell I’m under
magic of a splendorous kind
a world of cornucopic wonder
treasure troves of dreams to plunder
in this kingdom of my mind

to magical mystical ports of call
no longer tethered to mere mortal
high above the wonderwall
swept up in miracle protocol
full sail through mystery’s portal

on an amazing fractal odessey
beyond all one can imagine
a truly alternate reality
a splendid spellcast amalgamy
rolling out to fold in deep again

an infinite fractal paradise
that takes an enlightened eye to see
geometric forms flow so precise
near organic — they grow so concise
a creative energy pure and free

here I see a place enchanted
a world my mind can but beget
wonder is by awe supplanted
no limit to the marvels granted
what I observe — I’ll ne’er forget

by fantasy’s elaboration
through stars of wonder I ascend
soar in sweet hallucination
in ships of my imagination
oh, would this dream but never end

*
rob kistner © 2021

Poetry at: dVerse

Do check out: mindlovemisery’s menageries

Creative writing at: Poets & Storytellers

~ I invite you through the wonderwall on these fantastical trips. ~

blackthorn rosebud, secret passion
mystery dreamed, fantasy craved

earthen lustwitch, molten ardor
scarlet scorching, sultry vision

forged in bronze fired, writhing midnight
wanton temptress, my dream desired

*
rob kistner © 2021

Poetry at: dVerse

Vividly
I remember

I remember when it happened
remember well
the all-defining fire mark in time
that forever divided then
from now

the moment of the horrific pronouncement
when all the world’s atmospheric agencies
and all the world’s environmental agencies
and the world governments
unequivocally agreed

…the earth has passed the tipping point
soon this planet
will no longer support human life
no more monies will be spent
in this undeniably failing effort
to keep earth habitable
for our human species
now all funds will go
towards a massive plan to escape
in order that our species might survive…

fuuuck! we are such stupid assholes!
we finally did it!
you know — with our human track record
no plan is going to help us survive — ourselves
feels like a damned expensive, fruitless waste

couldn’t shake those angry thoughts back then
when first I heard the disheartening news

truth be told
I was very angry — but not totally shocked
and I am still not certain we understand
what it will take to ever survive

perhaps our journey from the atomic age
through the nuclear age
into our current digital age
has sent our human species
irretrievably off the rails
but nothing I can do about it

I now just spend my time alone
walking up along this forested valley
that is our southern property line

my eyes drifting up the crystal waters
of the clear mountain stream
that rolls towards me
crisp and pure

I then cast my eyes upwards
to the very tops
of the powerful Douglas Firs
and the elegant Western Cedar
as I pass slowly by

they stand proud
at the river’s edge
sentries for centuries
protecting this boundary of our lands
steady and enduring
yet always supple in the winds
that waft and quicken
whispering the breath of life
into this pristine realm

as I walk
my tears glisten
we are such damned fools
we have finally done it

two years on now
since that ominous
worldwide news conference

but I never can forget
the chill in my bones
that penetrating feeling
in those mind-numbing moments
when I realized

it’s over

global panic has since ensued
cities worldwide are collapsing
humans gone insane
ugliness I do not wish to witness
so I remain isolated

isolated with my memories
random memories
like the beauty of an opening rose
or the wonder of an unfurling frond

or the tart-sweet scent
of mighty conifer giants
thrusting ever skyward

or the magic
of a budding branch

of how my spirit
is soothed by wind and water
thrilled by the song of birds
or the swoop of hawks

of how my fascination
is stirred by the yelp
or bark
or bleat
of beasts

or how my soul stirs
at seeing a salmon’s trek
here in this stream

or gazing into the open sky
watching the roll of unobstructed clouds
thrilling at the fall of stars

or hearing the crack of thunder
resound for miles across our valley
then off the mountain’s face

or how I love the embrace of rain
the crisp and quiet drift of snow
the hues and sway of living fields

or love watching our orchard
blossom and bloom to fruit

gazing upon these forests
thick beyond horizons
or feeling the lift of cresting surf

now I amble alone
alone with my precious memories
of these natural wonders
that inspire
that lift my soul
that resonate my heart

that could have continued
should have continued
still

but…

damnit to hell…

this was an eden
but we proved a stubborn
stupid species

we would not listen
and now
now paradise is dying
at our careless hands

and now I am alone
too long alond
too long since I have shared
this beautiful mountain stream
with another’s eyes
or found my voice
to exclaim its wonders

yet still
I ramble this valley
wade this stream
given to jabbering quietly
to no one in particular
at the ragged edge of coherence
hoping for a response
a response assuring me
that this is just a nightmare

but only comes the murmur
of this constant stream

I have held my mind
in good humor
but not all have

reports of continuing suicides
murders
robberies
kidnap
rapes
humans unhinged

but I remain
tethered to the waning hope
that this can’t possibly
all be coming to an end

a hope
buoyed by the majesty of these forests
that climb their way skyward
with the patience
with the persistence
of the ages

but each day
the horrifying realization
muddles my mind
suffocates my soul

we {{{ have }}} destroyed it all

the world burns more and more
year after year
with more intensity each year

we need a miracle
but sadly
there is a scarcity of miracles

tonight
I will again
sit alone
in my room
in the soft light of the fire
I’ll cry
and wonder — why

we had all the warnings
more than enough
and we had the time
but we were
so
fucking
arrogant

perhaps
this beautiful
magical world
this amazing paradise
would have been much
much better off
without us

 
*

rob kistner © 2021

Poetry Inspired by Ecological Change: Earthweal