Memory Tree
~
when your life
finally converges
at the vanishing point
and all that you’ve sown
and everything you’ve reaped
becomes a forever past
may there remain a memory tree
rooted in the soil of time
nurtured through the ages
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2020
Why Dog
~
why do you find me dog
why will you not let me be
you belonged to her
but she is gone
you know this is so
don’t you dog
I see it in your eyes
the sadness there
sadness I recognize
the sorrow
pressing in
as these night winds stir
darkness pressing in
but she’s gone boy
lost into the lightless realm
beyond this chill encircling us
you shiver
you feel it too
don’t you boy
but I’ve no emotion here
save grief
as is buried
in your worried whimper
I’ve no good comfort here
but come
come here boy
that’s a good dog
I know
I know
me too boy
me too
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2020
Le Filou
when donned the mask
the transformation
smoulders forth the other
the fantasy
on wings of dreams
your lovely le filou
she is she
yet too
the other
unleashed at light of passion’s moon
manifest at your request
sustained this night
at her delight
she is your isis
she is your venus
she is your every longing loosed
and you
her jester
her lustful fool
she brings everything in life you miss
bestowed with aphrodite’s kiss
but as you burn you should know this
beneath the mask waits a strange abyss
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2020
…in keeping with my ‘dark’ suspicions about clowns…
Laughing Larry
“gaze upon me
if you will
my countenance crafted
to fool
and thrill
I’ve spent years in greasepaint
fear
and sorrow
I rue the past
I dread tomorrow”
they call me laughing larry
it wasn’t intentional
you see
I only wanted her to
hear me
to know my heart
but her laughter
her hollow
taunting laughter
her laughter wouldn’t stop
it wouldn’t stop
and I needed her to hear me
to understand how I felt
but the laughing
and laughing
the incessant laughing
I simply couldn’t have the laughing
so I made it stop
now I hide behind this painted smile
now everyone is laughing
and laughing
but I no longer hear
I’ll spend years in greasepaint
fear
and sorrow
rueing the past
dreading tomorrow
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2020
Broken Wing
~
There was a time, not long ago, when I was proud of my country, this United States of America. My patriotism stirred when we were lead by a proud, intelligent, strong, black man. A man of principle and courage. A man who embraced truth. A man with a sense of decency, and a sense of humor.
But then my country broke my heart. We elected Trump. On the heels of a time of light and possibility, we have been dragged down into a time of despair and darkness. We let ignorance rule the day.
I still embrace the fading image of America. I still have hope. I still feel the reverberations of the time that was Obama. But now truth and liberty has a broken wing. When it is over, said, and done, it WAS a time — and there was never enough of it.
(Above is 144 words. Below are my fully expressed feelings)
There was a time, not long ago, when I was proud of this country we call the United States of America. My patriotism stirred when we were lead by a proud, intelligent, strong, black man. A man of principle and courage. A man who embraced truth. A man with a sense of decency, and a sense of humor.
It gave me hope that we, as a country, had turned a corner, and were going to move away from, and above the unfortunate and misguided hatred and stupidity that would rear its ugly head from time to time. That we were smarter and better
But then this country broke my heart, and enabled a racist, a bigot, a misogynist, a spiteful demagogue to take power — it elected the utterly unqualified Donald Trump to be our President. On the heels of a time of light and possibility, we have been dragged down into a time of despair and darkness – and it’s our own fault. We have allowed ignorance to rule the day.
I still embrace the fading image of America, but it is impossible to be proud of our leadership at this time in history. I still have hope, because I still feel the reverberations of the very recent time, when this country stood tall, when this country began to again lift and soar, the time that was Obama. But now truth and liberty has a broken wing. When it is over, said, and done, it WAS a time — and there was never enough of it.
Sadly, not nearly enough of it.
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2020
Not Wanting
~
when the human spirit learns to love
and be grateful
finding more joy in giving
than receiving
when all, even the least
can live in dignity
not wanting for the core
of their humanity
— then will we ride the saucers
shining to the heart of tomorrow
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2020
Arc of the Ages
~
do not hide
from the great orb
of unquestioning fate
that spins in the spaces
of destiny’s light and dark
days of falter and fear
approaching
moving
unsteady on legs
of unquenchable doubt
what your mind must
conceal from the assassin
of joy and forgiveness
held pure
tested
by time and the hands of
the waiting who cower
yet smile
singing truth through
the hail and barrage
‘cross the bow mast of glory
seeking broad measure and berth
as all that you seem to
desire slips slowly like
rain down a vent pipe
to plumb deep
the black dreams
such is the slag-shattered
glass of the future
that moves slow
through the arc
of the ages
who’ve waited and
watched ‘neath the moon
of deliberate ancients
that revolves in the
void of the others
that see what we
knew to be ever
the voice of the lost
to the light
of the dawning that
heralds the word of
this time that’s upon
us and holds us at
last in the fire
of visions and
longing for all that
we are to be
here in our heart
of the moment
that flees like
a squandered teardrop
forever away from
our failing grasp
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2020
on this velvet night
we shine
like crazy diamonds!
come
come with us
untether
soar
escape
shine on!
rob kistner © 2019
Bloom
~
Turn away from things that can’t be changed. Forgive the foolish slights. Mend the wounds.
Turn to the rising sun. Feel the warmth of the new day. Embrace it with a thankful heart.
Be the cause of joy. Be the source of possibility. Make life better for your having been here.
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2020
~
rob kistner © 2019
Daughter: Jeni, Summer 2019
~
heard the haunting calls
fill Droon’s violet skies
as coral-winged Lellurts
took to flight
seen the copper hues
of Parmus fronds
fire indigo mists
‘neath Gemin’s crystal trees
beheld exquisite beauty
of bright new worlds
but none so enchantingn
as your eyes — tonight
rob kistner © 2019
violet sky of Droon Cluster
a crystal tree of Gemin
Shine On
~
old man gazes out his window
uncertain how long it’s rained
alone by the fire he questions
were his losses worth what he gained
memories like christmas candles flicker
of loved ones — sadly gone
entwined warmly in his heartstrings
thankful they still shine on
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2019
December Memories
~
ribbons
on bright papers
gifts bestowed
one at a time
round and round
the kindred circle
celebrating
unveiled affections
joy
love
and cheerful laughter
precious times with family
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2018
Go here to dVerse to get cheered up:
The Toast
~
I toast you all tonight
at this seasonal gathering
never forget this bond
that ever unites our spirits
now everyone drink deeply
this rich wine of friendship
may it ever warm your hearts
and lift your spirits high
to a place of peace & beauty
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2019