mimicking the blaze
scorching my heart
my burning love
for only you
nor the night sky
deep and vast
freckled sterling
above our heads
that precious moment
when first we kissed
rob kistner © 2019
I bestow my dreams
wings of trust
to carry me
to wisdom’s shore
I share my dreams
with an open mind
so resonant truth
inspires me to be more
rob kistner © 2019
early shadows fall softly ‘cross my face
as peaceful vesper’s rich velvet blanket
drapes its soothing comfort ‘round my shoulders
eager I keep pace — as ends my journey
drawn by the beauty rendered before me
splendored by the rising moon in sunset
I’m welcomed by the freshened eve’ning breeze
as sundown’s amber wanes upon the lane
last light slips slow over far horizon
fog soon will rise and waft — full in moonlight
as darkness falls quiet on the valley
our home hearth’s glow will warm chill silvered night
my heart soars — lifted by this wondrous sight
our sterling stream cascades its serenade
to enwrap my soul in tender homesong
rob kistner © 2019
I sit quiet
at peace in this stillness
close by this fire
soothed by its crackling glow
warmed by the memories
that huddle ’round me
you are here
quiet in my memories
I like that you are still
with me in my heart
this recall is a sweet ache
other memories come
from near and far
into the past
they drift forward
through the years
to visit gently
one by one
memories of others
I’ve been blessed to love
a tender tear for every one
there is a sweetness fills the air
just a touch of soft regret
my heart is full
my spirit calm
a peaceful surrender
to fate’s embrace
would that this evening never end
but soon the flames will falter
as the lingering embers die
as darkness blankets my chamber
I pray
when I am called among the memories
would that I be carried away
in stillness
in sleep
rob kistner © 2019
No Option
to lose the pace
is to still keep going
keep moving forward
lest one be rutted in uncertainty
rigid with the rigor of fear
stalled in hopelessness
paralyzed
by the giving in
the giving up
caught in anguish
with the loss of belief
when grip lets go of dream
arthritic is loss of faith
debilitates the spirit
cripples the manifest light
that shines forth
at the sacred leap
into the dark unknown
but stopping is no option
frozen is the doubting man
withered in a worried cage
terrified of the wrong step
of the journey all in
of daring the way unmarked
to the destination uncertain
thus he bleeds out
loses the color of life
to become cold and grey
mired in regret
for never having shone so brightly
as to blind the eyes of death
stopping is no option
rob kistner © 2019
Well Traveled
a shorter stride
a stiffened gait
a lessened pace
guarantees it so
but being long a traveler
provides insight
to match the bruise and scars
of years and miles
and the will to move
can best the journey
where wisdom is employed
questions arise
what destination now
what provisions available
what light remains
with no destination
there is no journey
only aimless wander
and provisions grow scarce
the light more precious
loss of purpose
lack of focus
hastens journey’s failure
at this distance
this late hour
failure is not an option
so I will continue forth
eyes down the road
one foot then the other
in steady stride
mindful of the journey
holding to the dream
to arrive with love
spirit whole
full spent
from a road well traveled
rob kistner © 2019
In this moonlit forest, midnight shimmers through the mist-covered boughs of old growth, as if star clusters are dancing on the branches. Deep and still, mirroring the moon in the night sky, our high-mountain lake glows like cerulean satin. This night holds a sacred silence, save for a great white owl, echoing from the cedars, across the water.
We are lover and beloved, entwined in the pre-dawn, half awake, entranced by the spectacle outside our window. I turn to her whispering, “how long have I been awake?” I don’t really want to know. I’d rather lie here in her arms, falling again into gentle slumber.
Snuggling against me, her head on my shoulder, in her sleepy voice she says, “I awoke enwrapped in this wonderful moonlight, feeling filled with love!” Smiling, I say softly, “last night, my love, I dreamt I was the moon.”
rob kistner © 2019
your pre-dawn morning magic
shimmers ‘cross this sleeping world
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2019
rob kistner © 2019
I prance like a royal — regal and lean
I prowl like a panther — deadly and mean
I’m lush and lazy and I’m no ones fool
got a bad-ass human and we’re both cool
we take no lip from no-bo-dy-no-way
get on our radar and you better pray
we’re tough as leather and we got no fear
and I got somethin’ I wancha’ t’hear
so sit back and shut up and don’t be rude
I’m gonna tell you ‘bout my bad-ass dude
he rolls with a finger-snap jazz-jive strut
don’t mess with him ’cause you might get cut
he wears silken, french-cuffed, ivory shirts
they are soft as butter-sweet cream desserts
got diamond cufflinks of pure white gold
he’s high fashion treasure – precious and bold
pearl stick-pinned, satin tie — it’s knotted tight
lookin’ like Paris on Saturday night
desert-tan gabardine three-pleated slacks
euro-cuffed, steam creased — they are sharp as tacks
soft snakeskin braces buttoned sterling bright
hip — and killer as a rattlesnake’s bite
black-patton striders with real ‘gator spats
we step out classy as the coolest cats
red pinstriped linen coat double-breasted
pure uptown savvy — teal velvet vested
sportin’ a full-blocked, rolled-brim, felt chapeau
in the deepest red of a fine bordeaux
we’re crisp and smooth as a dry martini
he calls me Lil’Queen — his name is Ziggy
rob kistner © 2019
Digga Digga Doo – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
you say you love me, but are you sincere
your credibility is weak my dear
all the evidence points the other way
i’m just not sure, the truth is so unclear
so goodbye — I’ll be moving on today
rob kistner © 2019
rob kistner © 2019
rob kistner © 2019
~
bird songs carry on freshening breeze
flowers awaken to the kiss of bees
my soul to fullest measure filled
splendor brings me to my knees
rob kistner © 2019
broken in your cruel hands
it was abused — then cast away
like some cheapskate’s knickknack
or worthless bauble with which to play
it was not your shiny ornament
to decorate your ego
nor a piece of bric-a-brac
to collect like some odd curio
not a trifle toy or novelty
this heart was so much more to me
than some lowly dime-store tchotchke
to be abandoned thoughtlessly
no, it was not some silly whatnot
to dingle-dangle in your hands
I didn’t offer you some gewgaw
because I’m not your doodah man
I really can’t believe you’d think it
was just some silly trinket
I’ve now no need for this ruined heart
so I plucked it from my chest
to find a warm and vital heart
this is now a lover’s quest
I seek a fresh and vibrant heart
one of a perfect size
and a kind and gentle lover
who will hold it as a prize
No, I can’t believe you’d think it
was just some silly trinket