Category: Poetry

H ello human
I see you
I see you friend

are you
my friend
sometimes
we wonder

my kind have watched you
for a million years
seen your weakness
know your fears

in very early times
for your survival
we hunted with you

but in these times
we no longer
understand you

your ancestors were here first
before we evolved to become aware
yet you do not seem to respect
this beautiful home we share

you know well
I am of a wild heart
a free spirit

yet I understand balance
living in balance
sacred balance
with our shared world
our earth

it is in my nature
as once it was
with your kind

but seems your fearful
need to dominate
has made you blind

we share this earth
we wolves
and you humans

but listen human
I am in danger
as are we both

the fresh pure water
that we both so need
to survive

we need its replenishment
even more than food
if we’re to stay alive

food that also depends
intrinsically on water

but water
is rapidly disappearing
as toxins
permeate our earth’s
fragile water systems

if we would lose
our precious water
earth’s ecosystem will collapse

human
you must see

the only way
we both survive
is in sacred balance
with this planet
our mother
we have no other

though I may not speak
still you must hear

this voice of truth
is clear

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Truth & Justice”
by: rob kistner © 12/12/23

you must come to know
the pure heart of justice
justice for this earth
for our home
in this we need each other
we can not stand alone

truth and justice
are linked together
one to the other
now and forever

as are you and I
with earth
our common
place of birth

I may not have a voice
but listen with your heart
feel with your heart

feel the pain
the suffering
let it burn
like acid rain
to permeate
your brain
to think

this earth is struggling
battling mightily
to endure

we need that you
see this truth

it’s not obscure

learn to see
with your eyes
as my kind
see with ours
wandering this planet daily

please see
you are the cause
but you are also
the possible solution

if you will
but open your eyes
your hearts
your minds

become an eco-revolution

look into these eyes
my eyes
that weep

tears
for climate change
pollution
deforestation

for all this reckless
foolish
devastation

human
you must become
the wild heart I am

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Winter Wolf”
by: rob kistner © 12/12/23

Hear me human
hear my wolf’s song
as I keen and howl
for our dying world

so too
you must howl
raise your human voices
use your words
use them now

scream of the injustice
of the real danger
the imminent danger

we must rally
to seek
and to secure
the sacred balance

hold it close
become its protector
not its abuser
pitiful neglector

correct your imbalance
with our mother earth
respect your precious
place of birth

stop your human stupidity
please

I believe
with all the wildness
of my natural heart
with all the strength
of my free spirit
that some of you
want to do your part

want to join the battle
join the pact
to bring balance back

my kind
and our earth must trust
that you will
because you must

life on our earth
is dying
but it seems most humans
are just not trying

your carelessness
is killing our mother
gaia
and killing you and I
a result of your
lethal human arrogance
and this might just be
our final chance
we cannot let it
just go by

if we’re to make it
we must take it

see me human
feel me
hear me
it’s time you start

you must listen
now

ignite your wild heart!

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Leader Of The Pact”
by: rob kistner © 12/12/23

*
rob kistner © 2023

Poetry at: d’Verse

~ Hear me cry for our dying earth ~

M idnight
in our moonlit forest

snowfall shimmers
deep and still
through the boughs
of old growth
like dances of star clusters

it blankets
our mountain
in white
pure as love

this night
falls quiet and crisp

great white owl
echoes hope
through frosted cedars

*
rob kistner © 2023

Poetry at: dVerse

Poetry at: Poets & Storytellers

Hear me read “Mingus”, scroll to below the music selections.

Original DDE™ digital abstract: “Mingus” — by: rob kistner © 12/5/23

Song of inspiration is “Goodbye Porkpie Hat”, a Mingus jazz composition.

 
Hey man

ya’eva feel the hit-bottom bass
of my spruce-wooden upright

while’ya
weep’n with the wound steel
strung ‘cross the sound holes
of this here
righteous holla’body

ya’eva
ache to d’blues-bent reed
of a lush broke-heart sax

ya’eva
burn to the brush’s sear
d’sizzle’n’spank o’da’taut-skin snare

ya’eva
sob to the surrender’n’sustain
of an ivory key’d ebony

d’ya know me
man

I’m jazz
I’m blues
hear me

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Rainin’ Jazz”<
by: rob kistner © 12/6/23

I’m the velvet touch
on the supple-strung
big-bottomed
long-necked lady
with the smooth
sweet curves
of a fine-ass dame

hot’n fresh
all aflame

warm and mellow
smokey golden
as a ‘52 big apple sunset

fully sussed
in jazzin’ lust

I’m celebration n’sorrow
tears n’understandin’
pain n’escape

I’m
razor’s edge real
with a soul o’steel

taunt me true
in a fiery flurry
of rhythmic dissonance

of sizzling
scalded jazz

lift the veils
from off my eyes
free me from these
tempo’d lies

Original DDE™ surrealistic diptych: “Whiskey Joint Waltz”
by: rob kistner © 12/6/23

wrap round me
with soft studied fingers
in free-form
coax me started

work me in the shadows
at the light’s blur edge
that pools in the night
in a wounded whiskey joint
on the bleak back streets
of the sad brokenhearted

I play to the anguish
of the loveless who cower
in the dark nightmare alleys
of the lost n’forgotten

I play to the grief
of the sinners who moan
alone in their heartbreak
in the ruins of love

I play my dirge
fo’ the busted dreamers
fo’ the butt-broke schemers
n’fo’too
the voiceless
frightn’d
screamers

I play to the last chance
of those loosin’ hope

hey man
hey

ya’eva needin’

I too play — f’giveness

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Thunderbox”
by: rob kistner © 12/6/23

*
rob kistner © 2022
revised © 2023

Poetry at: dVerse

 
~ Joni sings her observations about, and affection for Charles ~

NOTE: Click the arrow below to hear me read “Mingus”.

*
rob kistner © 2023

Poetry at: dVerse

Nature bends lovingly

bringing blessings
pure sky water

rains nurture
pacific northwest embraces
life in paradise slows

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Pressing Barn & Cellars”
by: rob kistner © 11/30/23

Original DDE™ surrealistic diptych: “Tasting The Batch”
by: rob kistner © 11/30/23

vineyards
bursting with grapes
surrendered to harvest

nectar of the gods
pours from press to barrel

autumn celebration rolls on

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Celebrating The Wine”
by: rob kistner © 11/30/23

*
rob kistner © 2023

Poetry at: dVerse

The Secret

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
can’t you see

without you
there is much
you can’t know
about me

The Revelation

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

I hid in the anguish
of the loveless who cowered
in the dark nightmare alleys
of the lost and forgotten

I fed on the grief
of the mourners who wailed
for their horrific loss
in the ruins of death

this was my heartscape
black as mid-winter night
a lightless horizon
no glimmer of hope

trusting was toxic
no foothold for love
relations were carnage
scattered lifeless and cold

The Change

’til a beautiful being
eyes brilliant and true
approached from afar
bearing tinder of love

She showed me
I was paralyzed
by the giving in
the giving up
caught in anguish
with the loss of belief
when grip lets go of dreams

a graceful relationship
deftly ignited
and patiently tended
the fire gently stoked

afraid to come forward
I held outside the glow
but your kindness drew me
we stood by the blaze

with passion it roared
its light pierced my blackness
its heat thawed my soul
my cold heart was warmed

The Healing

you wrapped yourself ‘round me
gazed into my eyes
your giving kiss soft and serene
was the essence of healing

with you in my life
I am darkness removed
soaring and weightless
radiant and rising

vital and caring
my spirit’s renewed
illuminated wholly
by a new dawn of dreams

my essence is healed

Original DDE™ surrealistic diptych: “Dawn of New Dreams”
by: rob kistner © 11/29/23

*
rob kistner © 2023

Poetry at: dVerse

 
I invite you to partake of this Peter Gabriel experience.
 

H e shattered her heart
spilled her wine of joy

then drank deep
the red red warm
no concern
he’d brought their love
to harm

he toasted every moment
whether great
or whether small
as if he triumphed
in his betrayal
he celebrated all

the crystal clanked
as it sang the pours
swirling bottom to the top
a captured cyclone
of canted pleasure
pouring would never stop

goblet and stemware
filled full measure
with this ruby
liquid treasure

he tasted
he drank
he danced
seeking love
his heart was empty

still so
her heart
was shattered
given time
so too would his be

rejecting honest words
he only wanted
to be flattered
he never learned
that trust and truth
are the things in life
that truly mattered

he sang sweet songs
to the nurtured grape
tried filling the years
with laughter

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Let It Flow”
by: rob kistner © 11/28/23

but all he harvested
were bitter tears
he’d not realized
what might come after

with their vintage love
now crushed and broken
he’d driven her
from their home

love’s bitter words
were cruelly spoken
so now he pours alone

the harmony to his song
went mute
now no one sings along

betraying love’s a ruthless study
with great pain he finally learned
now the presses all are broken
the barrels overturned

the corks are dry and brittle
strewn across the floors
the wine has spilled and puddled
now sadly no one pours

his heart broken
now bleeds burgundy
and mixes with his tears
the blessed nectar of the vine
has not been poured
for many years

Original DDE™ surrealistic diptych: “Winehouse Chaos”
by: rob kistner © 11/28/23

*
rob kistner © 2021
expanded revision © 11/28/23

Poetry at: d’Verse

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Tall Ship Sunset” by: rob kistner © 11/27/23
 

N ovember sunset
dances
through leafless trees

memories
drift to you

to that evening
of tall ships
in Beaufort Harbor

your artist’s eyes
dancing
among ship’s riggings

sketched abstract
by sundown

that moment
a beautiful still life
forever
in my heart

it was our last

*
rob kistner © 2023

Poetry at: dVerse

scream-bringing hoard of twisted truth
zoom-zooming in this blue-black world
called forth to gorge in ghastly feast
first stir, they roust then gore the beast

distressing visions overflow
stabbing with a brain-jolt pierce
disgusting curiosities
brute-flung to hideousity

jerk and lunge these soul-cleaved demons
death scratch-scratching through doomsday’s door
perverted serendipity
they swarm in horrorifity

flaying bone-toed my synapses
hell’s fleshless hounds devour my peace
mind-ghouls shake and shiver me
oh gentle morne — deliver me

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Hell’s Hounds”
by: rob kistner © 11/26/23

*
rob kistner © 2023

Poetry at: dVerse

Standing at water’s edge
gazing upstream
I marvel at the beauty
of this pristine stream

it rambles
in rippling white water
in crystal clarity
ever onward

gently
past these emerald climbs
that coddle it
keeping it safe

nudging it tirelessly
toward home

the timeless sea

I hear the lullaby
of this valley

a lilting song
of the peace
of the serenity
nestled soft
in its earthen embrace

captivated
I lift my head
listening

the breeze murmurs
whispering in the boughs
of the patient sentinels
ever watching at its banks
persistent in their vigil

just then
a zephyr wafts downstream
brushes my face
tosses my hair
and dances past me
round the bend

a hushed gasp
escapes my lips

like a prayer

I’m breathless
‘midst this beauty

my spirit
enthralled

*
rob kistner © 2023

Happy Thanksgiving

Poetry at: dVerse

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Tethered To Her Dreams” by: rob kistner © 11/19/23

This child gazes wonderingly
into the crystalline stars
of this warm may night

she has captured the flower moon
on a silken string
held in fragile imagination

it’s bloomed full
this special night

that moon
and this girl

they hold in share
her dreams
her tomorrows

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “That Moon”
by: rob kistner © 11/19/23

tomorrows of colorful pails
on the ocean’s beach
festooned in starfish
and octopus

of the sweet taste of jam
on crustless bread
just a little
smudged on smiling cheeks

of lipstick smeared
on a giddy grin
stumbling t’ward the mirror
in mommy’s heels

of tea and cookies
with bear and bunny
mrs. whiskers
and with daddy

there will be crayons
training wheels
skinned knees
and tears kissed away

there will be hair curls
and chocolaty hands
smeared on party dresses
and stupid — pesty boys

what a joy she will know
lost in the world of pretend

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Imagination Lift Off”
by: rob kistner © 11/19/23

then the strum of awakening
will bring song
to the burgeoning young heart

the rhythm of spirit
that brings the thrill of dance
to young feet

that elevates
the courage of youth

that will help drive away
the awkwardness of youth

a backyard campfire
shared with friends
beneath a canopy
of forever stars

a shiny silver soccer trophy
received teary eyed
because 2nd place
was bittersweet

the big school dance
that first reveals
the sweetness
of a shy kiss

now new curiosity
about these boys
about her feelings
about her body

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Oh The Wonder”
by: rob kistner © 11/19/23

curiosity about her tomorrows
as the hands of time
circling round and round
carry her dreams
into the future

her ABC’s fall into words
into tools
empowering her
to communicate

to share her thoughts
to share her ideas
to influence
to move others
maybe be a poet

as she moves
eager and expectantly
t’ward the doors
opening on uncertainties
also on possibilities

but for now
this child
is safe
and loved
and filled with excitement

laughing
amazed
wishing

and wondering
intently about
that moon…

flower moon’s magic
blooms with imagination
bright future’s beyond

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Moon Curious”
by: rob kistner © 11/19/23

*
rob kistner © 2022
revised © 11/18/2023

More poetry at: dVerse

More poetry at: Poets & Storytellers

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Dream Falls” by: rob kistner © 11/14/23

 
My back is bent deep
from life’s heavy load
my mind stumbles troubled
by all these forks in my road

my brow is fevered
I can’t find my mellow
I miss the aspen meadows
of crisp golden yellows

should you encounter me
wandering lost as a fawn
my countenance brittle
withered and drawn

know that my soul seeks
the song of the waters
my aching heart needs
be soothed in their arms

so deliver me to snow-melt
to high-mountain waters
sweep me swiftly away
in their crystal blue streams

tumble me joyishly laughing
in their rolling white rapids
then over a waterfall
grand as my dreams

splash me into the current
flow me past western red cedar
my body is ready
my spirit is eager

I will miss you my loves
but no tearful goodbyes
it’s your love I’ll remember
as I’m closing my eyes

so when I’ve grow weary
the final wish that I make
let my ashes ever join
with a deep mountain lake

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Deep Peace”
by: rob kistner © 11/14/23

*
rob kistner © 2023

Poetry at: d’verse

Poetry at: WGO

Poetry at: Poets & Storytellers
 

 
Wisps of cloud
occasionally smudge
the sterling moon

an enthralling cacophony
of night
swaddles us

we gaze skyward
blissed
intoxicated
through the silver gilded
canopy of old growth
surrounding this clearing
deep in the forest

lushly savoring
the sensuous afterglow
of our moondance

Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “White Gold Canopy”
by: rob kistner © 11/14/23

*
rob kistner © 2023

Poetry at: d’verse

 
The moon
hung like a tear
above the horizon

my eyes
followed you
moving
into the moonlight

my gaze held fast
until there was nothing

no warning
of the bitter cold
setting upon my world

your last kiss
now remains
forever on my lips

*
rob kistner © 2023

Poetry at: d’verse