…in response to the 13th prompt of 2010 on Writer’s Island, I offer a piece I wrote inspired by Joni Michell’s album entitled “Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter”. Embedded in this work is the title of every track that appears on that album / also for prompt #126 ‘Angel’ at One Single Impression…
•
talk to me otis
and
marlena
reveal your mystery
I am your brood
sired by your seed
bloodied
from your womb
whisper
in a scorching breath
tell me about
the tenth world
taunt me
in scalded apparition
tell me how
to get to dreamland
to cotton avenue
on a hot off night
back street in jericho
tell me of the fires
on paprika plains
that consumed your souls
in flames of hunger
to lust
for immortality
made you dance
at midnight
wrapped in
the silky veils of ardor
on prurient
smoldered embers
I want to go
I am ready
an inferno burns
inside me
desire rages strong
to ride the bliss of sin
son of concupiscence
I am
your son
your lifeblood
courses through me
hammers in my temples
sets my heart ablaze
impassioned
I wil prowl
the shadow’d haunts
of jericho
the dark places
of the tenth world
following your ghosts
seeking
don jaun’s reckless daughter
my scarlet jezebel
my nocturne angel
to take me
in a fever
to whirl me ‘round
to burn me down
to ash
to scatter me
by moonlight
forever
in the winds
of memory
on those plains
of ardor
• • •
rob kistner © 2010
Rob, This is gorgeous. My favorite stanza is from “seeking – fever.” For me the piece evokes sadness and passion, and the two twining round.
Well done. Joni should give it her haunting touch in song!
Thank you Brenda, and oh my gawd — it would be euphoria for me if Joni even looked at this poem. She is, in my humble opinion, one of my generations greatest contemporary poets…
…rob
Really awesome rhythm to this, though I feel as though I’m only picking up some of the references… beautiful as a burning torch.
Joseph, you are most gracious — thank you. A listen to Joni Mitchell’s album, “Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter” would shed a bit more light on my poem. Also key is to know I have fantasized about Joni since 1968… 😉
But even without that stuff, the essence of this piece is a fire dance of words, a burning celebration of language and sound… to be read aloud and felt on the tongue and in the mouth…
…rob
Rob I love Joni and I read it aloud to feel its passion and I did!
Excellent work!
Pamela
Thank you Pamela, and very cool of you for trying spoken word…
…rob
nicely done Rob….a fine tribute to a fine lady…met her in Calgary at Alberta College of Art early sixties…..before heading to Toronto..then NY. Im sure there will be a title from one of her albums in your great prompt from the Island.
How very hip that you met the goddess of the north!!!
…rob
I completely agree that Joni is one of the great poets of our time. Exquisite tribute to my favorite artist.
OK Nan, you exhibit great taste — referring to Joni of course… 😉
…rob
Great tribute to a fine artist – something in the Canadian air that produces some of the best poets/songwriters.
Wonderful. Joni would be proud.
ummmmmmmmmm or the smoke from Mr Chong’s bong maybe Stan……I have a poem back somewhere in my mind that has the great Tommy playing in a Vancouver band in the sixties…He actually played in a band in Vancouver called Little Daddy and The Bachelors..that became Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers……for anyone interested or can remember
A wonderful poem, evoking tumultuous emotion. Thank you.
Oh my God. I think I am going to faint.
A beautiful piece of writing, Rob. I am amazed that you could work in the titles of every track on the album so seamlessly. Bravo!
http://inthecornerofmyeye.blogspot.com/2010/07/soolaimon.html
Thank you Stan, and yes, I think its the Canadian bacon… 😉
…rob
Thank you KB, I sure hope you’re correct…
…rob
Wayne… 🙂
Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers
Thank you Viv, your kind words are always appreciated…
…rob
Thank you for your enthusiasm Annie, but please don’t faint — I am too far away to catch you… 😉
…rob
Thank you Mary!
What I do is read the titles, find a few that might be a rough skeleton for an outline of a poem, then write those out one to a line, with several open line spaces between each. I then start filling in the spaces to make sense, including any remaining titles.
This is the same way I approach a Wordle prompt…
…rob
Your poem has such a gentle rhythm to it. Full of passion and a hopefulness. I have enjoyed reading it several times.
Thank you Rob…
…rob
Such haunting passion in your lush images. Joni would be proud!
Erin, thank you — and it would be wonderful if Joni liked this…
…rob
Wonderful and a soothing flow in your poem, filled with deep emotions 😀 I love it, thank for sharing such a wonderful work, so many remix is going on in my mind right now XD
Your kind words are much appreciated Riika…
…rob
I’m speechless!!! (and that IS unusual!)
Keith, wow — 😉
…rob
Very lovely indeed and I will have to take a listen to “Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter”.
Thank you Lisa, and you should, and Joni’s “Hissing Of Summer Lawns”…
…rob
Beautiful, passionate, clear–amazing!
Thank you Sandy, very much…
…rob
A very nice take on the prompt Rob…
that angel to tempt one, to burn one and reduce one to ashes…
simply exuberant as well as intriguing…loved it!
Thank you Amity…
…rob
Well my first isit to this angelic page..
Couldn’t relate much but then
Loved it.. Angel are same everywhere..communicate with each other with vibrations of the same positive language..we hear through our hearts..
Thank you Ramesh…
…rob
creative and heartfelt piece.
powerful post.
Thank you Jingle…
…rob
Rob, this is so fun and it reads with such great rhythym. I see this set in New Orleans for some reason.
Thank you Jone, and New Orleans is an excellent possible location, as might Memphis be as well…
…rob
I’m starting to form a habit. get a glass of wine and read Rob K. Always worth the trip
Wow Grizz, what a wonderfully kind thing to say — thank you…
…rob