Here I lived at light’s edge
that pooled in the night
on the bleak winter’d streets
of the sad brokenhearted
I hid in the anguish
of the loveless who cowered
in the dark nightmare alleys
of lost love departed
I fed on the grief
of the ravens that wailed
in the brittle bare branches
of tangled dead promise
this was my heartscape
black as mid-winter night
lightless and leafless
no sun shone above
’til a sad beautiful being
eyes lonely — but true
approached from afar
stirring something remembered
the kindled encounter
saw desire’s spark ignite
long neglected — unexpected
a flame flickered in the embers
afraid to come forward
I held outside the glow
but your tenderness drew me
stirring thoughts of sweeter days
your light pierced my darkness
your warmth thawed my soul
your passion stoked love’s coals
my frozen heart burst to blaze
it was love come
to incinerate my blues
there was nothing I could do
*
rob kistner © 2021
Poetry at: The Sunday Muse
Creative writing at: Poets & Storytellers
This is beautiful, Rob. I fear I let my baser instincts lead me, sorry to say, but I certainly admire your “take” on the photo.
This is how I write a piece that is both dark and light — covering all bases… 🙂
I knew you would write something gorgeous for this image Rob! Love certainly can set a cold heart ablaze!
Thsnk you Carrie… 🙂
It sounds like someone so hopeful that love will be the result
The hope of love, as ephemerally ethereal as it is Christine, drives us all — it is our life’s pursuit… and love is a myriad of concepts.
Leading from darkness to light– lovely.
Thank you!
Love the way you centered the light in the image and gave me the idea that it was growing.
Certainly advancing and ever-changing Chrissa. 🙂
“But your tenderness drew me” … that line sang to me. And Ms. Joni at her sultry best!
Thank you Helen. I am still “in love” with my Joni, after all these years! My brilliant, beautiful, convoluted, smokin’ hot “Ice Queen of the North”. She makes me feel “…so naughty makes me weak in the knees…” She can definitely ask me anytime to “get out my cane, and she can put on her finest silver, and we can go to the Mermaid Cafe, and have fun tonight!“
This is so mushy! Soft, sweet and tender 🙂 You are truly romantic, Rob 🙂
As a survival mechanism, part of me developed a romance novel as part of himself. As a child I was a viking pirate, then for years became a flesh and blood singer/performer/songwriter, then a poet and and an artist. Song and singing is still a part of my life, but now the singing is only casual — but continual, driving my wife a bit up the walls at time. I still do my fine craft-art, as my arthritic fingers will allow. I am forever a poet/lyricist… yes Sunita — I am a pseudo-pessimistic romantic. 🙂
So many qualities to appreciate. Let that heart sing of love and romance in every form 🙂
Thank you Sunita.
Ah i feel deepky the anguish of falling in love. Nice one
Good Sunday
Much?love
Love is such a complicated emotion Gillena. 🙂
Love can pierce even the heaviest darkness.
Hope springs eternal.
Quite the emotional journey!
I removed your link to the ‘second half’. It seemed to be a different poem, even if a companion piece next in a sequence. I did ask for only one piece of writing. (Also I had in mind only one post – usually the same thing. I’ll make that clearer in future.)
Oh yes Rosemary, I reread and saw the word “one”. Missed it — sorry.
Oh the valleys we walk to reach real love. This is so beautiful. “it was love come to incinerate my blues” so love that line.
Thank you Susie! 🙂
Beautiful rendition of a heart set aflame – the last stanza is my favourite.
Thank you Marion. 🙂