Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Tracks Not Taken” by: rob kistner © 6/18/24
Never did ride a train
I’d tried to once but in vain
did long distance on jet plane
no longer do ‘cause it’s a strain
that exacerbates my angina pain
I’m grounded but don’t complain
I don’t travel far from my domain
and if I really must I just — drive
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
We have reached Summer Solstice. Light has fully overtaken the dark. It is now when the sun’s arc reaches the peak of its journey. Each new day sunlight shines its brightest and lingers longest. The birds and animals are busy with new life. Fields of crop, orchards, and arbors are bursting forth in eager growth. This transition is a time of hope and possibility for all — animals, plants, and us.
Earth’s sprouted bounty accelerates its swell towards abundance. Hearts fill with a sense of joy. The long days and warm nights bring a spirit of freedom. Love, laughter and dance fill the air. Smiles blend with the toil and anticipation. It is a time of blessing, and an important time for personal gratitude.
Poetry at: dVerse
Poetry/prose at: Moonwashed Musings
On my way to the club tonight
I wanted to tell you about jazz
about the magic of toned wood
of bamboo bent reeds
of taut tuned steel
and sizzlin’ skins — but…
an asshole crashed into my Telsa
hit me as I drove here
some shit-for-brains’ drunk
and I just got my T-mo-beel
m’lil red
he’s doin’ 75 in a 40
drunk
what a dumb shit
but I’m here
n’listen to that
band’s burnin’
crowd’s buzzin’
it’s a beautiful thing
…what an ugly ride he had
should be in a junkyard
not on the road
should lock that fool up
throw away his keys…
wow — band is hot to’night
the horns are smokin’
a slow simmerin’ sizzle
bass is solid
holdin’ that bottom
sure n’steady
…is my headache gone yet
doc said I had no concussion
but neck’s still soar
love to break that idiot’s neck…
listen to that rich piano rise
a dance in black’n’white
an improvised conversation
in sweet blue notes
man — that drummer’s cookin’
mean licks
crisp and clean
solos rippin’
raucous and righteous
tearin’ up the place
echoes of sad stories
secrets left untold
…better call doc tomorrow
tell him I still have some pain
n’all this insurance blahblahblah
gonna be a pain in my brain
double talkin’ — twisted terminology…
listen to that sultry sound
risin’
fallin’
twistin’ ‘round my soul
a tapestry of truth
in a language of love
fluid and unbound
…truth’s comin’ out in court
hope that jerk wad gets bound
bound up good
bound for a long stay in lock up
— asshat…
ah yeah
this jazz
speakin’ to me tonight in tongues
of heartache
of joy
of lush lust
and lost love
blistering bliss n’sorrow
a journey through rhythm and time
each note
a world of feeling
a universe
ah man
this jazz
…not gonna let that sonofabitch
ruin this night
this jazz
screw him…!
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Wounded”
by: rob kistner © 6/13/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
…now — to kick out the jams…
Studio shelves
studio walls and floors
serenely resplendent
treasured evidence
of creative times past
a rosewood table
bedecked in over paint
cluttered with maker’s tools
and remnants
of unfinished visions
fragments of a story
long evolving
bittersweetly ended
by the arthritic fingers
of my artist hands
the art
each in its turn
arrayed its essence
whispered its secrets
in the softly lit silence
of my studio
precious moments
tethered back through time
midst these memories
pieces of myself
still haunt lovingly
fond recollections
of beloved yesterdays
the past breathes quietly
in the dim warm glow
settled upon this room
I muse reflective
sitting alone
at peace
watching all this end
self-curating solace
embraced
by the purples of twilight
and the crystaled silver
of subtle tears
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: Whats’s Going On
We cannot hide
from the great orb
of unquestioning fate
that spins in the spaces
of destiny’s light and dark
days of falter and fear
in this great void approaching
that moves
unsteady in orbit
of unquenchable doubt
what your mind must conceal
from the spirit
of joy and forgiveness
that which is pure
tested by time
and the wanting hands
of the waiting
who cower
yet smile
singing truth
through the hail and barrage
‘cross the bow mast
of freedom
seeking broad measure and berth
as all that you seem to desire
slips slowly away
like rain down a spout
and nightmares plumb deep
the sphere of black dreams
such is the slag-shattered
glass orb of the future
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: * “Slag Shattered Future”
by: rob kistner © 6/11/24
that moves slowly
through the arc of the ages
who’ve waited and watched
‘neath the promised moon
of deliberate ancients
that revolves
in the void of the others
that seek what we know
to be ever
the voice of the lost
in the light of the dark dawning
that heralds the word
of this time that’s upon us
that holds us fast
in the fear of bleak visions
and of longing
for all
that we desire to be
here in our heart
locked in a frozen quandary
peering startled
down a shadowy corridor
of 10,000 unopened doors
truth so elusive
in this moment
that slips
like a squandered teardrop
forever away from
our loosening grasp
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Unquestioning Fate”
by: rob kistner © 6/11/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
* “Slag Shattered Future” is my visual representation of humankind’s dark polluting progress
crushing the light of a pure pristine future.
Fantastic — this spell I’m under
a splendorous magical kind
cornucopic world of wonder
troves of dreams to plunder
a kingdom of my mind
fantasy’s elaboration
on marvel’s sails I ascend
navigating rich hallucination
sweetest figments of imagination
oh, would this dream but never end
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
<§>
Poem & art below inspired by the WGO prompt and this Catrin Welz-Stein art above.
———<§>———
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Imagination Soaring” by: rob kistner © 6/5/24
Just books
just books
these, just books
— no way!
maybe magic dragons
flying phone booths
or hot air balloons
maybe ww2 planes
or rocketships to space
taking you to amazing places
beyond your wildest imagination
or maybe a genie’s lamp
carrying you off to Xanadu
to Kubla Khan’s pleasure-dome
where the sacred river Alph runs
or perhaps an enchantment
that introduces you to Bastian
and you two adventure to Fantasia
to save the kingdom from The Nothing
maybe it is a beautiful women
who lived in a kingdom by the sea
who was taken so young by the seraphs
she had never known love’s sweet needing
they are dinosaurs on the loose
perhaps they are toys come alive
an archaeologist in a haunted tomb
maybe they’re superheros who can fly
no, not just books here
maybe timetravel vehicles
or portals to parallel worlds
magic keys to unlock wonders
or imagination’s magical carpets
or a cool movie’s secret ingredient
just anything you choose them to be
but they’re definitely not — just books
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: Whats’s Going On
Poetry at: dVerse
Poetry at: Poets & Storytellers
Capture the poet moon
harness its sterling spirit
listen for its soulful song
until finally you hear it
let it ignite
your true heart
to sing
ecstatic
then ride
that sweet moon
through midnight skies
of magic
lighting the poet’s lamp
explore the secret realm of rhyme
seek the magic
that glistens there
like stardust
in folds of time
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Poet’s Lamp”
by: rob kistner © 6/4/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
Into darkness I descend
as the hand of grief extends
deliverance called me to this door
she was indeed a faithful wife
in a moment’s mercy I took her life
her final stare I must endure
I pray to God that she may lie
forever with unopened eye
to her — my truest love I swore
may darkness hide my tears
I am haunted — filled with fears
my soul is broken evermore
her innocent voice cries my name
I’ve finally gone insane
it’s the end for me I’m sure
is this really what it seems
or has this been just a dream
but I feel my sorrow soar
I pray I’ve been asleep
in a dream-state dark and deep
please god — let my eyes soon open
let this nightmare spell be broken
and a new sun rise once more
if not — your mercy I implore
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Waking From A Nightmare”
by: rob kistner © 6/3/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
Did I ever tell you ‘bout Buzz
his life sizzled at the speed of light
ever blazing through the midday sky
and rocketing through the moonlit night
was a bright shining wonder
a glistening miracle to behold
a spirit like flash bang lightning
it seemed he would never grow old
streaking through the universe
whooshing like a meteor — alone
roaring up high on wings of dreams
like a blinding shooting star he shone
the sad news came last weekend
our dear Buzz was nowhere in sight
last seen wizzing ‘round a midnight star
sparkling — spiraling skyward into the night
we who truly knew brother Buzz
were sure it was what we’d feared
he had finally outdistanced time itself
and wham bam — mystically disappeared
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Disappearing”
by: rob kistner © 5/30/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
More poetry at: dVerse
Poetry at: Poets & Storytellers
Do you think
you’re not still my slave
since digging yourself
from that earthen grave
since you sullied
your delicate hands
claw clawing out
of my bottom lands
you won’t know how
nor even when
but I just might
put you back again
do you think
you’re safe
think perhaps
that I don’t know
where you are
as you come and go
do you think
I don’t feel you
with my every breath
breathe breathing you in
breathe breathing you out
do you not understand
I can take your life
with my clenching hand
really – don’t you
my foolish
beautiful woman
anytime I want you
you are mine
anytime
you know I love you
you love me too
with a love uncommon
you know you do
don’t you
you are mine
it’s true
forever
you are not free
your every move
is known to me
your every thought
is mine to see
every fear
mine to trigger
it’s not fear I seek
it is something bigger
I watch you walk walking
both day and night
I follow in shadows
out of your sight
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 sleep
it is hopeless
to resist surrender
I’ll cradle your neck
my kiss is tender
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 fatal mistake
dare a close call
risk my downfall
my foolish love
there is no risk
it will be fatal
but no mistake
for I am brilliant
wicked cunning
you’ve felt my power
is it not stunning
does my magnificence
make you afraid
as my captive stare
makes resistance fade
you will not see me
in the cold dark rain
but you’ll feel my presence
in your fired brain
as I creep up quiet
from behind
to consume your life
as I am so inclined
I probably do
have love for you
but that breaks tough
mortal love is not enough
I truly don’t want
to see you cry
I only want
to feel you die
to this new life
for you and I
and as my emotions flood
I will taste
your sweet sweet blood
a beautiful cloak of death
I’ve fashioned for you
of blood red sequins
on deep midnight blue
an immortal thread
is stitched all through
it’s embrace is warm
and the fit is true
there is an exquisite gold coffin
lined in silken red
a soft delicate place
to daily rest your head
and should terror shiver
down your lovely spine
remember always love
you are forever… mine
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Death Cloak”
by: rob kistner © 5/28/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
More poetry at: dVerse
Poetry at: Whats’s Going On
Restless souls
are conjured forth
to celebrate this night’s
rising unhallow voudon moon
spirits entrapped in darkness
possessed
writhe here entranced
in rhythmic profane swoon
these lost forgotten
seek atonement
called this judgement night
by dark houngan magic
to beseech
this elder voodoo priest
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Elder Voodoo Priest”
by: rob kistner © 5/27/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
More poetry at: dVerse
From my spring vantage
at cliff’s edge
overlooking the mighty pacific
I behold a natural marvel
the annual northern migration
of a large pod
of majestic grey whales
adults and recent born
as they pass
the rugged cliff regions
of the breathtaking
upper oregon coast
they are on their way
north to alaska
where they will summer
raising their young
in the autumn
these beautiful behemoths
will pass here once more
on their way south
to their spawning lagoons
of baja california/mexico
these are sacred processions
as these giants
make their graceful way
slow and steady
as their inner clock
dictates these seasonal pilgrimages
as it has over 10 million years
from my lofty perch
I catch sight
of another ocean titan
as roaring in
the chest of a huge wave
slams a massive boulder
the great stone rocks back
undetectably
with a deep thud
more felt than heard
it bumps solid
against the base of the cliff
to which it crowds
and upon which I stand
in deep reverence
the awestruck sentinel
as the spent wave recedes
the hulking mass below
settles once again
immovable as bedrock
defying the next swell
and the next
and the next
but the sea
like that pod of greys
is steady and patient
this steadfast giant
in the ebb and flow of time
will acquiesce
becoming the grains of sand
upon which it now rests
here it will bear witness
for hundreds of thousands of years
as mighty grey whales
continue their amazing migrations
sustaining their cycle of life
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Grey Breaching Oregon Coast”
by: rob kistner © 5/24/24
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: Whats’s Going On
More poetry at: dVerse
As is the spark of birth, as is the burst of a seed, as is the first ray of dawn, as is the tug of love awakening, as is the moment of humility, as is the pen to blank page — so is the essence of becoming.
As is the marriage vow, as is the shifting wind, as is the chrysalis, as is the moment of death, as is the boil or freeze of water, as is pursuit of a new direction, as is the solstice — so is the essence of change.
As is the month of May — so is unwritten possibility, so is renewal, so is a great lifting of the spirit. As is the opening of the blossoming daisy, so is the gentle opening of the heart, warming to love
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Danny & Dot” by: rob kistner © 5/16/24
Here’s a love story to blow yer mind
about danny and his big ole belly
who loved dotty and her grand behind
now neither one looked like a model
but their passion was well defined
they loved to go dancin’ dressed up tight
yes it’s amazing what spandex can bind
they’d shake it like balloons full of jelly
they’d feel the feels — the big love kind
they’d dance n’dance like crazy
they’d bounce jiggle and roll
neither one of them was lazy
they’d go and go and go and go
‘til morne was dew-drippin’ hazy
‘til the world was a golden glow
‘til they both were feelin’ spacey
‘til they stirred their hun’gry souls
then make lotta’love — a wee bit racy
*
rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
Poetry at: Poets & Storytellers