Tag: readwritepoem
Lost Meditations
lost meditations resurface
in these november years
reflections of mysteries once pondered
beauty beheld
of veiled truth pursued
in quiet depth
disturbed only by faint breath
beckoning me inward
to the bright center of joy
where a flutter of understanding
in a snap-flash of oneness
shudders me conscious
in shivering anticipation
of that which is not known
that which cannot be named
in the twilight of this finite
as threads of evermore
bind fast my dreams
to carry them onward
effortlessly
I gently surrender
as lost meditations resurface
in my november years
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2008
(revision © 2018)
__________________
Reaper Groom
A MURDER MYSTERY
I’ve always been fascinated by who-done-it’s and classic horror stories, so I was inspired to write this piece with a ‘retro’ gothic feel.
Lyle, the socially awkward, seemingly milquetoast villain of this tale has a ‘killer’ obsession. A shy, mild-mannered church organist; he is ‘changed’ into a murdering menace — by loneliness and rejection.
BE WARNED: This poem, and the collage I created to accompany it, are both a bit graphic — in a noir-tongue-in-cheek sort of way.
I invite you to enjoy, “Reaper Groom”.
collage above entitled: “Thief of Hearts” — by: rob kistner © 2008
___________
Reaper Groom
~
a figure scurried ‘cross the yard
between the gravestones he did dash
head down low, and running hard
dressed in cape of velvet black
he seemed to vanish from our sight
but then we saw him double back
he would not escape tonight
elusive as a demon’s shadow
ghost-like — he could disappear
but no more, this scourge of sorrow
finally, we were drawing near
surround and capture, was the plan
the hounds had tracked him to this place
this had to be our wanted man
though none had seen his evil face
we were sworn to bring him down
bloodthirsty was this man — and cruel
he’d caused such horror in our town
if he escaped, we’d look the fool
the target of our townsfolk’s hate
he must be caught this beast of doom
he’d killed so many brides to date
we knew him as the “Reaper Groom”
he took the lives of countless bride
murdered them by dark of night
once betrothed they couldn’t hide
death was sure to be their plight
marriage took an awful blow
as one by one our maidens fled
our bachelors’ ire began to grow
there were no wives to share their bed
this had to stop — no maids for men
it wasn’t natural, wasn’t right
this curse would never be again
it would end, right here, tonight
we had him cornered in our net
he’d not escape our clutch this time
he owed this town an awful debt
he’d pay quite dearly for his crime
we closed in slowly, with great care
we’d make sure he couldn’t run
we deftly caught him in our snare
and gathered round him, every one
we took him roughly in this place
and chained him to a stony block
and brought a torch to light his face
then gasped, and staggered back in shock
this couldn’t be, not this poor fool
this shy man of timid smile
we sought a monstrous evil ghoul
this was bashful lonely Lyle
Lyle played organ every Sunday
and lead the hymns, as we would sing
our fiend escaped, we’d get him one day
and when we did, for sure he’d swing
it wasn’t Lyle, it was another
Lyle was not the type, you see
Lyle lived with his aging mother
so we’d set lonely Lyle free
but Lyle spoke up in quiet voice
don’t turn me lose, please, I forbid it
you see you really have no choice
cause I’m your man, that’s right, I did it
I killed these maidens everyone
I’ve charged this town a heavy toll
but my spree is over, I won’t run
this weigh’s too heavy on my soul
sentenced to hanging at his trial
Lyle was shortly going to die
looking sadly stern at Lyle
the judge inquired of him why
had he slain all this beauty
made so many families cry
he felt an answer was his duty
so this was Lyle’s cold reply
for many years I’d been denied
until my soul was heavy laden
god knows how often I had tried
to win the love of a fair young maiden
I was so consumed with bitter grief
that, though I’ve caused much pain and strife
this was my only true relief
to take from them their tender life
as mama’s words rang in my head
I’d cut out their precious part
there’s more than one way, mama said
to steal a lovely lady’s heart
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2008
Rebel Rebel
“we all shine on, like the moon, and the stars, and the sun”
Rebel Rebel
•
I’ll not listen
not be shackled
not be handled
not be ruled
I’ll not be managed
nor be played
manipulated
or be fooled
you sure as hell
will not tell
me
who
what
where
when
how
or why
what you offer
I’m not taking
your extended hand
I am not shaking
the world I walk
is of my making
and
I will not have it
any other way
your iron fist
I destroyed it
your sage advice
I avoid it
you can
rant
rave
condemn
and preach
your approval
I do not beseech
I seek only
my good counsel
I’ll not succumb
to might
or muscle
not be swayed
by your slick hustle
I am a man
of my own mind
and I will live
as my own man
this is all
I want to be
well-traveled
loved
and free
• • •
rob kistner © 2008
_____________________
image at top entitled: “Lennon”
10/9/40 – 12/8/80
• • •
…inspired by writing prompt #54, found at “readwritepoem”.
So Many Gifts
NaPoMo poem #29
This is the twenty ninth and the penultimate of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.
This poem is a tongue-in-cheek, but well intentioned look at life’s many gifts, inspired by prompt #29 at read write poem.
• NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.
So Many Gifts
•
we were granted
many gifts
when we arrived
here in this life
perhaps the most precious
is the gift of family
to endure
the gift of family
and any other calamity
we were bestowed
the gift of courage
the gift of patience
is a part of this
now when we require
more reinforcement
we have the useful
gift of friends
should all these gifts
prove just too much
there is the gift
of nature’s beauty
if we overdose
on all things tranquil
the fallback gift
is our creative spark
to prevent this gift
from being wasted
we have literature
music and art
and to preserve
dark karmic balance
we’ve been blessed
with the critique clique
finally we come
to this the greatest
of all the gifts
that we possess
and that gift being
the gift of love
though we enjoy
all of these gifts
life still can be
quite tough at times
but don’t despair
no
don’t lose hope
some secret gifts
have we been granted
to give us strength
and keep us going
the first of these
our sense of wonder
and hand in hand
our sense of awe
and should all else falter
there is the failsafe
the secret weapon
our sense of humor
but please take heed
keep careful watch
if you lose this latter
my friend
you’re screwed
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
___________________________
• you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem
Seven Red
NaPoMo poem-set #28
This is the twenty eighth day of poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.
This set of seven haiku were inspired by the read write poem NaPoWriMo prompt #28, “Seeing Red”.
• NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.
Seven Red
•
inquiries of heart
from summer red lover’s lips
float like butterflies
•
green leaves on blue pond
float in golden summer sun
red bird softly sings
•
golden sun burns bright
scorching the red rock canyon
Sedona summer
•
eyes red from crying
words cannot be taken back
she will leave today
•
a ruby droplet
the yellow rose bears sharp thorns
we will share red wine
•
path forked this spring morne
white-tails chose tall trees instead
redwoods are safety
•
spring snow-pack’s melting
fresh mountain stream tumbles clear
under red maples
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
___________________________
• you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem
Unexpected
NaPoMo poem #27
This is the twenty seventh of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.
This poem is an edited rewrite of a older poem of mine and was inspired by a moving personal experience, offered here in response to the NaPoWriMo Wordle prompt #27 at read write poem.
• NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.
Unexpected
•
unquestionable joy
in a place most unexpected
the crystalline eyes of an innocent
cruel society deems disabled
bent and stooped
impossibly twisted
confined to constant care
and his rolling metal chair
a hardscrabble life
that would drive a lesser soul
to lunacy
but his gentle eyes reflect a wonder
my jaded heart has long since lost
by arrogance extinguished
his timeless spirit knows only trust
it pours forth from his being
positioned close and cozy
to the modest stage
he is enraptured by the music
engulfed within the rhythm
enthralled by this magic
he is beaming
like an angel
the band plays fast
the band plays slow
the band plays loud
the band plays low
he rocks forward
he rolls backward
waves in jubilation
and launches heart and soul
into a wicked shoulder wiggle
as he vibrates unabashed
with pure delight
the veins of his neck
stand out full and proud
as he tosses back his head
uninhibited in laughter
tears of joy
leaking down his cheeks
his person full alive
his essence full aware
his nascent bliss aglow
he is wholly in the now
he is filled with every note
wrapped up in the cadence
sparked by the drumbeat
thrilled by every nuance
he experiences an ecstasy
at which I can only marvel
its clarity and power I can never know
it’s at this moment
that I realize
how much I do not understand
as I behold this able man
faint envy stirs
watching his unbridled joy
so complete
and unexpected
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
___________________________
• you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem
Becoming
NaPoMo poem #26
This is the twenty sixth of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.
This is my second metaphysical poem in two days, and was inspired by the NaPoWriMo prompt # 26 at read write poem.
• NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.
Becoming
•
as is the spark of birth
the burst of a seed
the first ray of dawn
the tug of love wakening
the moment of humility
the pen to blank page
so is the essence of becoming
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
___________________________
• you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem
Being Now
NaPoMo poem #25
This is the twenty fifth of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.
This was inspired by a prompt at read write poem to write a “how to” about something difficult to do.
• NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.
Being Now
•
step gently through the dream-gate
take hold the strand continuum
ride the light that carries you
to the is, was, the will be
transcendence moment
when the all is one
in the perfection
of pure being
here now
alive
∞
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
___________________________
• you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem
Dissonance
NaPoMo poem #24-A
This is poem twenty-four-A of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.
This, like poem #24, is also about a poet struggling with inspiration, trying to block out the night noises and cacophony that surrounds him on a hot sticky night.
• NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.
Dissonance
•
in cycled pulse
drones overhead
coarse whisper from above
promises relief
in vain
blades disturb page edges
at rest before me
in irregular rustle they taunt
impatient
untouched
no burden of remorse
no weight of mystery
do they bear
no sting of anger
no wink of mirth
with which to be dispatched
no coin of phrase to spend
dissonance
spills through the open window
the buzz, chirr, and leggy rasp
muffled keens
distant yelps
the edgy din of crawling
prowling night
intrudes in damp insistence
to fill my head
and leave not one small space
for wit or insight
all in vain
there is no relief
nothing clever
or profound
in the air this night
hot, sticky, thick
uninspired
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
___________________________
• you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem
Fashion Faux Pas
NaPoMo poem #23
This is the twenty third of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.
This is a bit of whimsy inspired by the read write poem NaMoWriMo prompt #23, “a different hat”.
• NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.
Fashion Faux Pas
(‘hoot’ couture)
•
I see you smirking at my hat
it’s aluminum foil – imagine that
it helps with my cell phone reception
and fascinates my cat
keeps UV rays off my bald cranium
collects morning dew for my geraniums
makes me invisible to radar
and impervious to uranium
when wearing it I’m seen from space
the reflection helps conceal my face
when raining it will never rust
it’s aerodynamic if I run a race
it made my paper’s style page
and it will soon be all the rage
the good news — one size fits all
and it’s great to line your birdcage
so don’t make fun of my chapeau
it’s great for people on the go
and quite handy if you’re grilling out
or wrapping take home from the bistro
a tip in closing I will bestow
don’t use tin, it’s crass and low
folks will stare and shake their head
tin is such a fashion ‘no’
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
___________________________
• you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem
For Granted
NaPoMo poem #22
This is twenty second of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.
This poem is an homage to Gaia, our mother earth, in celebration of Earth Day 2009. Embedded within this free verse poem are a trio of haiku, each focused at our earth.
• NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.
Earth Day 2009
For Granted
•
each night
consciously
or unconsciously
confident of gravity
that it will keep you
anchored
in your bed
snug in your bed
that you won’t wake
to find yourself
having floated off
now entangled
in the sweeping branches
of the willow
in the backyard
that wonderful weeping willow
always bending
and swaying
like some sinewy
sap-laden
great elephant
trundling
great elephant
trundling
and swaying
on the lookout
for water
in the arid
african bush
such majestic
mysterious
beautifully dangerous bush
in africa
the amazing dark continent
with zebras
and giraffes
and lions
and of course
elephants
in africa
in the earth’s
southern hemisphere
and all of this
kept firmly aground
by earth’s gravity
pretty astounding
when you consider
earth hurtles through space
eighty times the speed of sound
racing toward hope
our frail earth needs hope
desperately it needs help
it is in trouble
our earth’s crying out
it’s balance has been disturbed
we humans don’t hear
all we ever think about
is bed
money and bed
and gravity
and then
often only in passing
when we’re not
simply
taking it for granted
the earth
and all these incredible things
for granted
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
___________________________
• you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem
Our Dreams
NaPoMo poem #21
This is twenty first of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.
This poem is a wedding prayer inspired by the read write poem NaMoWriMo prompt #21, “rite of passage”.
• NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.
Our Dreams
(a wedding prayer)
•
we place our dreams in our open palms
so the winds of fortune
will make them soar
we bless our dreams with the gift of song
so their chords are sweet
and their sound is pure
we bestow our dreams the wings of faith
so they lift and carry
to wisdom’s shore
we unite our dreams this blessed day
so love will bind them
forevermore
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
___________________________
• you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem
Spellbound
NaPoMo poem #20
This is the twentieth of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.
• NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.
This poem was inspired by the image below entitled “The Bride Wore Red”, by Pareeerica…
Spellbound
•
scarlet lady in crimson silk
a beauty to mesmerize
sculpted by a master’s hand
so seductive as to scandalize
a stare of comely crystal blue
floats above a ruby pout
spellbound by her magic eyes
she holds your soul with no way out
her tongue tip teases her top lip’s edge
like a supple paintbrush flowing
her smile will pierce and hypnotize
then wrap around you knowing
you are now her helpless captive
quite hopelessly addicted
in the velvet grip of her mystery
is she an angle or is she wicked
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
___________________________
• you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem
I will Not Forget
NaPoMo poem #19
This is the nineteenth of the poems I will write this April, in honor of National Poetry Month, as proclaimed by the Academy of American Poets.
This poem is an edited rewrite of an older poem I’d written, but not completed to my satisfaction. Today’s prompt brought such deep feelings flooding into my heart, I was compelled to revisit the draft of this work and bring it to a fitting completion. I am very pleased with how it has turned out.
• NOTE: these poems will all essentially be early drafts, so edits may occur after their initial posting.
I Will Not Forget
(rappelé toujours)
•
the breeze of youth gently stir my soul
days remembered of grace and lightness
when faith in truth sparked splendid dreams
those days of you
when all we touched was fresh and new
and the world was full of wonder
when we were certain we’d live forever
our strength made each day a great adventure
those carefree days
the days we witnessed one for the other
as we made vows to our chosen life mates
raised our children
grew our careers
our families close through these days of joy
but not these days
I’ve grown unyielding
rigidly braced
against the winds of time and fate
my soul is rooted in life’s demands
I search its blessings
curse its burdens
these brittle days
I am bent by the yoke of worry
heavy with the weight of loss
I am haunted by the ghost of memory
the lonely days when I think of you
these empty days
how can this void be filled
when one so vital has departed
this world was denied much wit and wisdom
kindness and love lost
when you passed
how can this void be filled
when one so rich in these is gone
one who understood the need for giving
in a careless world darkened by greed
a tender heart
truly unselfish
whose warm embrace included all
how can this void be filled
when a brilliant light has been snuffed out
I will not forget
I will remember you
and all those days
that’s how I will fill this void
with the seeds of friendship
you planted deep inside my heart
now filled with grief
may they grow to make me gentler
and me — the world a better place
good-bye my friend
ever will I tend these seeds
and think of you
I will not forget
• • •
rob kistner © 2009
___________________________
• you can find other NaPoMo offerings at read write poem