Collage entitled “Guitar Hero” by: rob kistner © 1993
P ermit me to share the legend
of the man who rocked the world
luminescent — larger than life
his bold flag of fame unfurled
I was his grateful roadie
he treated me like a brother
the world lost a good one
he was truly like no other
with confidence he stood the stage
flashed his skills with grace and power
his celebrity rocketed skyward
enormous talent, in his finest hour
a humble hard-luck childhood
helped hone his heartfelt dream
a bright young man with wicked “chops”
he could make his guitars scream
his glory spread round the globe
renown and fortune grew unbound
like a rampant roaring wildfire
nothing it seemed would take him down
but terror struck while touring England
unleashing madness, fear, and strife
bombs tore through the concert hall
to save his fans, he risked his life
the first blast ripped the back wall
mike in hand, he stood cool and ready
“please people — don’t run in panic
move quickly — but please move steady”
he stood directing fans to safety
they all escaped — now he was last
as people gathered outside the hall
came the deaf’ning final blast
it was horror in high definition
TV broadcast the heartbreaking sight
a question hung heavy midst the chaos
did their hero meet death tonight
the sad truth was the top news story
the brave mega-star had died
all the world was seen to mourn
at candle vigils his fanbase cried
so permit me to share this legend
of this remarkably brave young man
who — possessed of wealth and fame
truly never forgot the fan
*
rob kistner © 2021
Poetry at: dVerse
This is a great story, Rob – you have told it so convicingly, I was trying to figure out who the brave rock star was at first! Like the captain who is the last to abandon ship: a hero and legend indeed!
Thank you Ingrid. It is a significant rewrite of a poem I originally wrote in 2008, which evolved from an outline for a book I tried to start back in the 80’s, during a period of years when I thought I wanted to be a novelist. I have initial outlines of 11 different novels I tried to start. A number of them have been converted to poems, most narrative, plot and characters. I am not cut out to write novels. I get bored trying to sustain focus on something the scale of a novel. I do long form poems and short stories pretty comfortably. I am a very good writer of shorter form literature. I am happy with that, very actualized. I write everyday just not grindin’ down on only one story, gimme variety or gimme shelter!
Yay for the short form!
I love a long novel – but can’t get excited about writing one. We need more venues for long poems.
I heartily agree my friend! I have thousands. I am way too ADD and OCD to sustain interest long enough for a novel, or to even get all the work I have written over the many years organized for publishing. My grandson has shown a very strong and growing.affinity for writing. Maybe he can someday dig ‘em up and have fun with ‘em?
Great story, well told, captivating, …
Ghank you Ron!
A riveting story — and perhaps you should just write your own story, Rob, there are so many layers of you!! b
Thank you Bev. Peeling through the layers too often brings tears, or worse yet, regret — and I stall.
I have had dreams (true) of being the Boss’ roadie …. This is a wonderfully entertaining write, Rob! And the collage ~ spectacular.
I was always the lead singer, do I think I used the roadie’s voice to stroke my aging ego… 🙂
Thank you also regarding the collage. I went through a collage period for a year. Created maybe 24. Great fun.
Great job in having the roadie tell the story of this brave, larger-than-life rock star, Rob.
Thank you Merril… 🙂