Song of the Waters

To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
(Kahlil Gibran)


Lost Lake, Oregon

 

Song of the Waters

~

should you encounter me wandering lost
my countenance brittle withered and drawn
know that my soul seeks the song of the waters
my aching heart needs be soothed in their arms

so deliver me to snow-melt high-mountain waters
sweep me away in their crystal’d blue streams
tumble me joyous in their rolling white rapids
sail me over a waterfall grand as my dreams

now I’ve grown weary — my leave I will take
to rest in the peace of a deep mountain lake


Willamette Falls, Oregon


Mckensie River, Oregon


Mckensie River – BluE Pool, Oregon

~ ~ ~

rob kistner © 2020


 

To check out more poems at dVerse: CLICK HERE

 

This is Jimi Hendrix’s haunting “waterfall” song.

34 thoughts on “Song of the Waters”

  1. I really love this… to find peace in nature at the end in a lake… (in my case I see a river ending in the sea)

    1. Thank you Bjorn. I can see your perspective. I have a particular lake, high in an Oregon old growth forest, near the timber line of the Cascade Mountains, where I have asked that my ashes to be spread. It is where I find incredible peace. I have written poems about my many hikes to this area.

  2. Oh rob this is such a delight! I love everything about it! Though I don’t know your lake, I’ve been to the Eugene area a few times Oregon is so wonderful

    1. Thank you Eric! 🙂 It is Lost Lake Oregon, a gorgeous crystal pure high-mountain lake, in the midst of the Cascade Mountain old growth forest there.
      45.488900 Latitude // -121.820615 Longitude

  3. I really love the poignancy of this poem, Rob especially the image; “sweep me away in their crystal’d blue streams/tumble me joyous in their rolling white rapids.” 🙂

  4. Wow, wow, wow!

    ^^THIS was my reaction to reading and hearing this piece. It is encompassed with grief, solemnity, and mourning. Perhaps finding true rest after passing. I love how it connects with nature with the waters and the lake. How beautiful and moving!

    1. Thank you Lucy, I greatly appreciate your kind words! 🙂 Mixed in the pure crystal clear waters of Lost Lake Oregon, on Mt. Hood, high in the Cascades — this is where I hope to find my final rest.

  5. First time hearing this sweet Jimi tune. Sounds good in the headphones. I like the metaphor here, Rob. I can also see where this would be a perfect place to rest.

    1. This tune still to this day, floats up into my mind and I find myself singing it, with chills running up and down my spine. It opens side 2 on the “Are You Experienced” vinyl album.

      First time I heard this song was in 1967. I was visiting with a girl I just met at Antioch College, in Yellow Springs, Ohio. My rock band had just played a gig there. She and I were about to hike through Glen Helen Nature Reserve. I was blissed out on shrooms. The experience was sacred. The hike got delayed for about 45 minutes… 😉

      If all promises are kept Lisa, my ashes will be forever interred in Lost Lake Oregon, mixed with the waters of this gorgeous lake, in the midst of the Cascade Mountain old growth there.
      45.488900 Latitude // -121.820615 Longitude

  6. Deliver – Sweep – Tumble – Sail
    Who ca resist the water’s call, eh, Rob?
    Your work always blows me away & I feel lucky to be able to hear you read. Looking forward to next OLN Live. Be well ’til then, Sir

    1. Thank you Ron, you are always most kind my friend. I love water, I am made mostly of it… 🙂 …60-70 % they say. My birth sign is Aquarius, and while that likely means nothing at all, I loved the 60’s … they where my “age” …it is the dawning of

    1. Ingrid. You are always kind to me and I appreciate it. I love to write poetry and it is wonderful to have my work genuinely received and respected by someone — I believe you do both… thank you.

  7. Too sweet, brother. My wife and I have prepaid for our cremations. Our daughters will take a road trip across the Southwest, dropping a pinch in the Grand Canyon, Zion, Monument Valley, Arches national park, Devil’s Tower, and a couple other places.

    1. Love the southwest. Lived in Tucson for a while. My wife snd I were invited artists ag the Secona AZ juried art festival a number of times. We really love the red rock Sedona area.

  8. tumble me joyous in their rolling white rapids
    sail me over a waterfall grand as my dreams

    To be extended all the goodness in life before the final countdown. A very fair expectation. Love this, Rob!

    Hank

  9. Not a bad choice! That BLUE water in the Clear Lake, Oregon video – it beats being buried in the dirty ground I’d say. It was good hearing your voice and seeing your face on the video yesterday! This poem is lovely read aloud, so peaceful! I may give it a go next time. The poems are so tranquil and uplifting this week!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *