• one free verse poem
• one haiku
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•
he has kept it locked for so long
none can pass
his grief makes certain none will try
this is a dark forbidden place
high-walled
cold and barren
unyielding
lifeless
brutal night has fallen
no sun can penetrate
the darkness soothes him
he retreats into its depths
hiding
shielded from any further pain
but see
a shadow falls across the threshold
someone approaches
a comely being
warm and alive
lays gentle siege
threatening to breach his hardened fortress
but this lovely creature
fair and fragile
can not possibly gain entrance
must not
he will resist
this is wrong
this is trespass
this is cruel betrayal of his lost beloved
he has no right to leave this place of sorrow
no right
but his stronghold is succumbing
falling to this delicate advance
he is vulnerable
terrified
but it is useless to resist
searching with a patient heart
she has found the key
grasped in her loving hand
fingers tenderly enfold it
gently
she slides it into the lock
turning with great care
he is defenseless
he feels his heart slowly open
the long forgotten stir of love
begins to warm his soul
• • •
•
sweet pink blossoms fall
red spring buds will take their place
soon will be cherries
• • •
poem and haiku by: rob kistner © 2010
base image by: Getty Images
• photorendering entitled “Blossoms” – by rob kistner © 2010
base image by: Harold Davis
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Even if we throw away the key, the way in can be found. Delicate subject matter handled with equal delicacy.
Springtime blossoms have a mesmerising, almost hypnotic shimmer in the insipid light of early eveving.
A post and a half… and then some.
I’m going away to count my blessings.
Thanks for the reality check.
This is a lovely interpretation of the prompt. I also like the haiku very much.
http://thelaughinghousewife.wordpress.com
“…cruel betrayal of his lost beloved…”
What a perfect phrase. Thank you.
Hi Rob,
We are talking about poetry here?! Beautifully done. I’m glad she coaxed you into the light.
so lovely.
(wonderful haiku, too.)
How hardened is your fortress? 😉 Quite a sultry muse.
I think I love Kathleen.
Rob,
Both are lovely! I especilly love these lines:
“he will resist
this is wrong
this is trespass
this is cruel betrayal of his lost beloved
he has no right to leave this place of sorrow
no right”
Nicely done!
Pamela
Hi Katherine —
I love Kathleen too, I married her… 😉
…rob
well done as usual Rob…thanks for sharing
They do that don’t they?
Beware, young Heathcliff.
Isn’t it wonderful to find love again? I am happy that Kathleen had the key that fit your heart. Sometimes someone has a key but it doesn’t unlock the door. You are very lucky. I am so happy to have found your blog and am also happy to meet Kathleen. She is beautiful.
This poem evokes in me this response; there is mourning for a woman, perhaps a wife, or mother whose name “Kathleen” is written on the heart. The mourning period seems breached by a new woman who may be a replacement for this man’s love. Deep and insightful feelings from the heart of love, beautifully rendered, Rob!
Out of sorrow, so painfully experienced, comes this beautiful, heartfelt poem. No matter what any reader has experienced, this poem is full of hope and love, honoring the past, affirming the future.