NOTE: I am sharing these poems today on OLN, so that I can remember. A significant family event occurred this past week, which I will not share here. It made me wang to be a fly on the wall to my own past. You can join me if you wish.
Here is a suite of four love poems I’d written to my family. “A Clearing” is written to my wife, Kathy. “Remembered” is written to my daughter, Jennifer. “Tough Love” is written to my son, Justin. And “The Picture” is written to my departed son, Aaron. Click below if you would like to read this suite of poems.
Authors note: I wrote this following piece in honor of my wife, Kathy, on the occasion of our 20th anniversary as a couple, our 18th wedding anniversary, which occurs next week. Kathy, like me. is an artist. Her discipline is contemporary fiber art. Her work is unique, and her craftsmanship is quite splendid. We are just beginning to set up a website for her Fibrations Studio.
A CLEARING
•
(For my wife Kathy)
Often, when you’re away,
a calm settles over me.
I’m filled with a warmth, a peace,
a joy that is my love for you!
The fog of life’s distractions dissipates.
The veil of pride and insecurity lifts.
I see, with great clarity,
how real – my love for you,
how true – my bond of fidelity,
how remarkable – our relationship,
how certain – I would give my life for you!
In these precious moments
emotions overwhelm me.
I vow I will share with you
the depth of these feelings,
holding nothing back – baring all!
Then the fog creeps back.
I am again shrouded by insecurity.
Expressions of love falter – I fall mute.
So, my love, see these words as a clearing,
where you can visit and be nurtured.
A private, wonderful place you can go,
to know these treasures in my heart!
…
Rob Kistner © 2007
______________________
Author’s note: This following piece is written to my oldest child, my daughter, Jennifer. She lives in another city, in another state. I seldom get to see her. She is active in her financial career and travels the world. However, she always remembers my birthday. I genuinely appreciate the present she will send, but I look so forward to the arrival of the accompanying card — word’s can’t explain. It’s the card in which she takes pen in hand, and puts pen to card to write me some words of love. The note always starts with my most favorite word!
Remembered
•
(For my daughter Jennifer)You’ll Ii
After all these years, she hasn’t lost the magic,
to transport me through time and space.
As I open the card that found its way
across the lonely miles between us,
I see it, the magic word,
Daddy!
Like a brilliant sorceress,
she’s cast her spell.
I find myself in a wonderful dream.
She floats into my arms,
wrapping me in warm embrace:
pure,
absolute,
unquestioning,
LOVE!
“Daddy!” She smiles into my eyes.
She is my little girl again,
my firstborn, my beautiful daughter!
So I cry.
…
Rob Kistner © 6/25/95
______________________
Author’s note: This following piece is written for my youngest child, and only surviving son, Justin. It is my great joy to have raised him, and to know him now as a man.
Tough Love
•
(For my son Justin)
Ours is a tough relationship,
tough love, no room for timid.
It is so easy to find fault,
for there in you go I.
Your imperfections glare at me.
I have them all within, and more.
Photos from my past, uncanny,
they might as well be you.
But it’s where we’re not alike
that your miracle begins.
You shine more brightly than I do,
or likely, ever did.
You care for people, honestly.
I feign, in truth, I’m distant.
Your strength in facing life,
man — I just stand and marvel!
You’ve accomplishments in hand, right now,
I never will attain.
I do envy you, my son.
At times, I’m even jealous.
It’s this acute familiarity
that can cause the sparks to fly.
We fight, but greater is my love.
I criticize, but you make me proud.
My love for you is true and deep.
My pride is vast and lasting.
It’s impossible with these words I craft,
to tell you what you mean to me.
But every word for love and pride —
I feel in my heart!
…
Rob Kistner © 2007
______________________
Author’s note: This following tribute was written to my son, Aaron. He would be 30 years old today, but his life was tragically cut short at the age 18, when he was killed in a traffic accident. The individual who hit Aaron had fallen asleep at the wheel.
The Picture
•
(In loving memory of my son, Aaron Kistner: 11/4/76 – 7/3/95)
It may be my favorite picture of you, son,
the one I cherish most since your passing.
A simple snapshot,
taken at the airport,
upon your return
from having run the New York City Marathon.
A gentle, triumphant smile,
eyes beaming behind those “way cool” shades,
jacket sleeves rolled in casual hip-ness,
bag thrown so carefree over your shoulder,
medal dangling proudly from your strong neck.
The victor: gentle, cool, hip, carefree, proud, and strong,
— fiercely handsome!
How profound this captured moment proved to be.
Taken just before the finish line of your 18 years,
it said it all.
Your race is run,
your bag is packed,
your reward’s in hand.
Fly my sweet angel – fly!
…
Rob Kistner © 7/3/05
Dad. That’s really nice of you to share. I’m sorry that I’m rude sometimes. There’s no doubt that I wouldn’t be where I am in life had I not been reared under your influence. You showed me a world that was bigger and more beautiful than I would have ever seen had I stayed in Ohio-everything from world foods to music to furniture to love for German cars.
To this day, the skill that benefits me the most is speech and debate, which I would never have done without your encouragement. When I’m feeling confused about what step to take next, there’s no one I want to talk with more than you. We may fight at times, but I know I could always call you to bail me out of anything without judgement.
I love you and you’re the best Dad a man could ask for.
Thank you Jus for that wonderful acknowledgment!
I wouldn’t be enjoying my blog if you hadn’t encouraged me to try it.
Thank you son!
…Dad
Such a beautiful family. Rob, you write with such feeling about the people you love, warts and all. A lovely post.
Thank you Patti!
If you can’t love the warts — you can’t love.
My family means the world to me.
–and so it goes–
…Rob
Your loving words for your family brought me tears that moved me…your love is so very strong here…
Thanks for sharing….
Rob;
Your words flow so beautifully. As I read your post about your youngest son I felt you were my father speaking to me – except we never talk!
Thanks for the post…
skipper
Rob – I came here today to invite you to a function on my blog and then I began to read this post, and I began to cry.
Your words are pure and beautiful and speak to every parent’s heart. Thank you for sharing. The poetry is lovely and I was truly touched. What a lucky man you are to have such a beautiful family.
Oh! I’d like to invite you to participate in BlogBlast For Peace on Mimi Writes. I hope you will take the time to investigate. I am so glad to have found your site and your poems. Keep writing!
That’s what is love. That’s what is a fmily. Your love for them signs through.
You reminded me of my dad. I miss him. Five years he has been gone and no day passes without my thinking of him.
God Bless!
Marie / Skipper / Mimi / Gautami –
I want to thank each of you for the very kind words. I am very blessed to have such a family, as I hope are each of you.
We are not perfect as a family, but we are perfectly willing to accept each other as we are — and love unconditionally.
That is, after all, what it is all about.
Skipper – if wanting to talk with your father, in a way you may never have communicated before, has meaning for you — you have it in your power. The power is in your heart. Be open to the possibility that you and your father can, and will talk meaningfully someday. If it is what you really want, it will happen — because you will make it so. If this is your wish, I wish it for you as well.
–and so it goes–
…Rob
Yes Rob, I am blessed to have a family such as yours where we love each other unconditionally..I think that is why I felt your words so deeply…My daughter and I have a relationship similiar to yours in that we are so alike…but there’s still a deep, mutual respect. I showed my husband your poem because oftentimes he’s gone, and that’s when I hear how much I’m loved…thanks for sharing so much of yourself.
Rob, your heart and soul are in your poems and in your family. It’s obvious that you know how important it is to cherish those we care for and to let them know how much we care. We, too, lost a son. He died suddenly at the age of 11 of sepsis, a little over a year ago. Our family has changed and survived, but we’ll never be the same.
Peace,
Lill
Marie / Lill –
Family is so important. It has its challenges, but the caring gets us through, and enriches the love even more.
Bless you Lill, and the rest of your family. I am so sorry to learn of your loss. May you have peace.
…Rob
Rob,
Your poem to your wife sounds so familiar. We don’t have any children, but I can feel the love and pride in your heart for them.
Brian,
I have much love for my family.
…Rob
Congratulations on your award on The Rising Blogger. It is a brand new site that awards posts, not blogs. Your post from April 27, 2007 “Poems For My Family” won. Since we award posts, not blogs, you might even win again. We ask winners to nominate a post favorite of a fellow blogger.  Call it “paying it forward”. It is not a requirement. You have won this award because we truly feel you deserve it.  Great post, good job!
If you choose to display your winning badge, please email and we will send it right away.
Congratulations!
Judd Corizan
The Rising Blogger
http://therisingblogger.blogspot.com
Thank you Judd!
Your words of kindness are most appreciated. I am humbled by the words of recognition posted on your blog, The Rising Blogger.
I love my family deeply, and I am most pleased that others can find something for themselves in my words. They are genuine.
My son Justin handles the technical side of my blog. He will be in touch regarding the badge.
Thank you again.
…Rob
I read the review of your work on Rising Blogger. Since I write a humor blog, I tend to gravitate toward the like. Something in the review I read urged me to read your work.
I was very impressed and touched. As a father of four I related to you love of family. Thank you for sharing your art.
Thank you Bud!
I appreciate your kind words.
You wouldn’t happen to be friends with Bud Lite would you? 🙂
–and so it goes–
…Rob
I won’t forget the second poem for Aaron that I’ve read (the first being under the post entitled “Anger”).
Your love for your family is so strong. It is indeed a blessing. ^_^
Soulless –
To love is a gift given to yourself.
I appreciate your compassion. It belies your “Soulless” moniker.