Image – Page 73 – Image & Verse

Hope

For society to have a real chance we need quality education!

Last Hope

I lift myself quietly
very quietly
from beneath the sheets
soiled with neglect
soaked with my nightmares

I am again awake
from another dark night
that began with fear
fear I might not survive
and ends in sorrow
realizing I did

I rise
make my way carefully
past the shallow-breathed crumple
that lay milky-eyed
in a heap on the floor
un-moving
save a twitch of the head

a head which now harbors demons
where nocturnal angels of sweet release
had lain down lush upon it
in fevered embrace
lustfully conjured
by last night’s spoon and lance
still skewered silver in the soured vein

this wreckage is my mother

I stop but for a glance
verifying life
then move on head down
angle to the bathroom
to the scum-brown bowl
to wash my face
lit sallow by the yellowed bulb
that hangs bare and lonely

strange eyes
hold me in the mirror
broken as my heart

eyes of knowing
eyes of sadness

grief courses through me
weighing upon my being
burning into my heart

I want to cry out
but there is no one here to hear me
no hero that can help me

driven by instinct to survive
by urgency to flee
I shudder away the paralyzing despair

in this dank food-less morning
in this ruined single room
in this coat-less chill of predawn
I gather up my books
step lightly through the door
down the damaged stairs
into the hostile streets
heavy with this childhood of strangled dreams

I duck and dodge
in and out of shadows
praying to once again avoid the evil
that lurks and slinks
among the garbage and graffiti
of these crumbled bricken’d canyons

that rolls slow and lethal
gripping cold blue steel
in predatory drive-by

evil
seductive as a smile
deadly as a snake

evil
which if diligence should fail
I fear will consume my soul

deliberately I continue
until at last I find my way
to the building
to the classroom
to my teacher
to my desk

to the only hope
to which I dare cling

~ ~ ~

___________________________

Click to learn more about toad’s social awareness

Had I Followed

Photo entitled “Edges” – by: Pensiero

Had I Followed

I have followed this path
ever onward
to where it has lead

followed its rise
its fall
in concentric circles of time
sweeping always outward

there is much I have seen
and have experienced

much I’ve missed
and never known

much I’ve stumbled upon
stumbled over
always to collect myself
and follow on

I have encountered the unknown
been confused
lost my way
suffered sorrow

I have embraced the wonder
found enlightenment
understood
known joy

but ever on
this path does lead

and I
in measured step
must ever follow

had I followed another
what then

I know now
it would be no different
for I understand

I chose the other
every time

I am not on this path
I am this path

~ ~ ~

More answers to Merril’s question, “what if?” at dVerse…

Poetics: Time and What If?

The Sands

~
New Year’s Tanka
the glass nears empty
final grains are falling through
this year bids adieu

with love turn it right anew
may its fresh flow hold your dreams

~ ~ ~

rob kistner © 12/31/07
(repost 12/31/18)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Downpour

“Sunburst” by: D. Trifiletti

Downpour

you hit like a downpour
a thunderstorm of love
your kisses hot as lightning
striking from above

your passion was a tempest
I was swept up in its force
but now the winds have died
this storm has run its course

my thoughts are chilled and cloudy
my eyes are steady rain
my heart’s caught in a cold front
bad weather’s bringing pain

the warm winds will return
as will the clear blue skies
but my heart will ever yearn
for that sunburst in your eyes

~ ~ ~

__________________

The image above sparked several impressions: rain, tears, cold, chaos, sadness, among others. These inpressions inspired this poem. The title of the image, and the small splash of yellow visible in the image, inspired the final line of the poem.

Written for “Imaginary Garden With Real Toads”…
More toad’s artistic interpretations

New Bloom

New Bloom

a newly bloomed flower
full and succulent

tender plumped folds
new-formed
glisten with dewy nectar

luscious form
and ripened blush
delight the eye

a gentle touch
parts silken petals
revealing the inner bud
swollen with the urgency of life

bringing face to flower
pleasures the senses
with heady fragrance

intoxicating
to breathe such vital beauty

consumed
one savors gently
slowly

exquisite
this young flower
full bloomed

~ ~ ~

Sweet Anticipation

My father taught me, I taught my son, now my grandson…

Sweet Anticipation

warm
familiar
comfortable in my palm
my fingers wrap natural cork
index raised
gauging line tension

precision brings the willow’d shaft
high above my shoulder
rod flexing expectantly

a flick of my wrist
and the line arcs forward
increasing the pressure
on my fingertip
as it rolls ahead
accelerating

then
a careful pluck
like a string
on a guitar

it is released

the golden lure
at line’s end
sails silently
into the squinting summer sun

with a subtle plick
the barbed hunter disappears
slipping ‘neath the sparkle
of the undulating steam

seductively
with quickening pulse
eagerly visualizing
I retrieve the bait
craving the strike

patience draws the lure
dancing ever nearer

I long for the sharp
powerful tug

for the slender thread
unreeled before me
to rise
and dart away
in a sliver of silver spray

for my heart to jump
as a proud trout
breaks water
victim to my seduction

in this moment
mind focused
breath steady
senses heightened
awaiting sudden contact

I reflect

there is a simple truth in fishing
as in life

the sweet anticipation
can be as rich
as the reward

~ ~ ~

______________________

Written for “Imaginary Garden With Real Toads”…
More toad’s childhood memories

Staying Posted

Staying Posted

I wrote poetry
wrote it for years
wrote it by hand
on randm paper
kept it all

in a box

wrote it
because I loved it
because I had to
to stay sane
but just put it

in that box

I still write it
I still love it
but now I post it
just for the

comments

not because
I need approval
or care much
what others

think

but at my age
seeing comments
helps me know
I’m still

alive

Promise Kept

“This is a prayer for peace at this end of year”

truework2

Promise Kept

would that the world pause with me this night

with open heart and thoughts of possibility

remembering when dreams were young

the breath of life so warm and fresh

beauty was in all we touched

love filled us overflowing

trust real as sunlight

truth was bedrock

tomorrow was

a promise

kept

~ ~ ~

__________________________

Click below for more wonderful poems at dVerse…

OLN #234 & Holiday Break

Voyage of Dreams

inspired by a small toy boat in my grandson’s bath…

Voyage of Dreams

fantastic is this spell I’m under
magic of a splendorous kind
a world of cornucopic wonder
treasure troves of dreams to plunder
in this voyage of my mind

here time and place are of my making
these winds of fate in my control
every pleasure for my taking
every rule just for my breaking
embracing secrets of my soul

here I live a life enchanted
here no fear of any threat
sorrow is by joy supplanted
no limit to desires granted
what I want is what I get

by fantasy’s elaboration
up through stars of wonder I ascend
soar in sweet hallucination
in ships of my imagination
oh, would this voyage but never end

~ ~ ~

________________

This poem is written in the rhyme scheme of Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”, namely: A,B,A,A,B. It also, like Frost’s poem, is four stanzas. I have always liked that particular piece by Frost, but ironically, the matching rhyme schemes and stanza lengths, are purely coincidental.

________________

More magic at dVerse…

Poetics – magic of ordinary things

This Cannot Be

this cannot be the way his story ends
his youth snuffed out by someone’s mindless deed
this cannot be the horror fate intends
if life be want mine now I do concede

his youth snuffed out by someone’s mindless deed
if debt is owed please I will make amends
if life be want mine now I do concede
consuming grief upon my life descends

if debt is owed please I will make amends
anger fills me like a poison seed
consuming grief upon my life descends
my soul is crushed my heart begins to bleed

this anger fills me like a poison seed
god tell me, did I somehow offend
my soul is crushed, my heart begins to bleed
a blackness here within me does distend

god tell me please, did I somehow offend
this cannot be the horror you intend
this blackness here within me does distend
god this can’t be the way his story ends!

~ ~ ~

see more at dVerse

Repetitive Forms – Meeting the Bar

Steel Tear

Steel Tear

the dream broke
like a prodigal sun
on a startled winter evening
causing him to squint
blinking away happiness
like sand in the eyes of love

you were there
the disapproving guest
at the final edit party

you took his cues
took his keys
took his shoes
took his leave

you took him for a fool

it wasn’t you didn’t want him
you said
you simply saw yourself
in a different movie
with a different ending

no broken hearts
at least
not yours

and the stranded man
in the leather chair
had my face

had no expectations
made no demands
held you responsible
for nothing

and you left the table
cashed in your winnings
climbed the winding stairs
silk purse in hand
his heart in your pocket
to place it at midnight
on your balcony sill
to watch it wither in the moonlight

he had no need for it
nor most certainly
did you

and the night lark sang
and a silver tear
fell hard as steel
from his crystal’d cheek
which you collected in a sterling box
and tossed into the sea

~ ~ ~

Daredevil’s Dread

~
to be shot from a cannon
into the cool night air
is really no big deal

to face a barrage
of flying knives
isn’t really that unreal

to leap through the fire
of a flaming hoop
the warmth is kind’a nice

jumping giant chasms
on two-wheeled fury
sure – let’s do it twice

to be blown up
in a speeding car
sort’a turns me on

falling 20-story
from a skyscraper
I’m up over and gone

riding upside down
on an airplane wing
it’s the only way to fly

the high trapeze
without a net
I wouldn’t bat an eye

buried alive
in a padlocked tomb
count 10 and I’ll cheat death

chained in steel
tossed in the sea
no need to hold my breath

the sphere of fear
the dome of doom
the bungee-cord freefall

to walk blazing coals
swallow deadly swords
no sweat — I’ve done them all

almost nothing scares
this bold daredevil
I am very proud to say

save the single thing
of which I’m terrified

to give my heart away

~ ~ ~

____________________________________

top 2 photos: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

bottom photo: source unknown

Touch of Love

My wife and I have enjoyed 31 years together. This is a poem I wrote to commemorate the moment we committed.

Touch of Love

three decades ago
in the shadow of the tall ships
nestled inter-coastal
on the outer banks of Beaufort
our passion burst to flame

we bound that flashpoint moment
in a promise of forever
and a band of abalone
I found there in that sunset
on the Carolina sands

as ever-precious
as the diamond ring
that now encircles in its stead
that pearled bit of shell
immortalized our pledge

even to this day
it rests next to your heart
where it falls true and warm
on links of purest gold
my constant touch of love

~ ~ ~

Click below to read more poetry at dVerse:

Open Link Night #233

The Nature of Fire

The Nature of Fire

here
on the farthest point of the peninsula
an office building is burning
ignited by a single match
careless or criminal
not yet known

inconceivable
that such a structure
can be so wholly engulfed
but the fire was too fierce
and the distance too great
for rescue

but what of the fury
in that single first flame
to have leapt so viciously to consume
to ravage
to devastate so absolutely

like the rage of a repressed
and violated being
too long held down
unjustly deprived
confined

all potential denied
where there is great potential

spirit squelched
where there is great spirit

sometimes a whole civilization can be dying
until finally a single incident
the spark
unleashes a righteous inferno
that has no bounds

all around the good people gather
stare in disbelief
how is this possible
out here
out here on the peninsula
not realizing that such power to combust
to blaze so brilliantly
can only be suppressed for so long

it’s always there
ready to explode
like the fury in the head of that match
and when the smoulder becomes full flame
all will burn
out here on the peninsula
and in here
at the still and protected center

~ ~ ~

____________

Get fired up at dVerse…

Fire Up that Creativity–dVerse Poetics

Bloody Sue

Gather close so you might hear
A tale of terror, a tale of fear
Of a vigilante from beyond the grave
Only justice did this spirit crave
You may choose to doubt my word
But know damned well this all occurred

A vengeful maiden dressed in red
7 men lured, 7 men dead
7 men drawn to this comely miss
7 souls lost to her lethal kiss

A modern legend is Bloody Sue
Her deeds of terror are bold and true
Was she from hell or heaven’s gate
It’s certain her victims earned their fate

The first, the banker, a crooked man
Stole dreams of others with his evil plan
To own the world, to possess the lot
Now all that’s his is a dead man’s plot
Found with coins choked down his throat
Clutched in his hand a bloody note
“You greedy bastards, this could be you
Remember well!”, signed Bloody Sue

The second, the lawyer, a prideful sort
Lied and cheated to win in court
And bragged of his dishonest way
Until violence marked his final day
Found one morning with bashed-in head
A bloody gavel lay on his bed
“Bludgeoned here for his lies and scandal!”
Read Sue’s note, wrapped ’round the handle

The third, the bishop, a man of lust
Molested innocent’s, betrayed their trust
Kept a journal of his lurid deeds
A trophy to all his prurient needs
Found on his pulpit with a bloody lap
His private parts in his bishop’s cap
“Beware vile predators throughout this land!”
Sue had carved in the bishop’s hand

Fourth was the baker, a gluttoness fool
Treated his workers horribly cruel
Paid wages that left an empty plate
While he gorged himself – he ate and ate
One day at the bakery’s opening hour
He was found dead in a vat of flour
Across the vat, bold and big,
In chocolate icing, Sue wrote “pig!”

Then the lazy chief of the town’s police
Unsolved cases filled his valise
Crime and violence everywhere
While he snoozed in his office chair
One day shots rang loud and clear
Sue riddled the chief from ear to ear
“Get another chief, get this damned work done!”
Said the note from Sue, found by the gun

The office gossip, and his jealous way
Spread lies and rumors on the phone all day
His envy the ruin of many good names
Destroying lives with his vicious games
Sue used his phone to strangle him
And left a voice mail dire and grim
“To all who ruin a reputation
You too will die from strangulation!”

Last… the radio talk-show host
Spreading propaganda, coast to coast
Pawn of a racist politician
Thought he was above suspicion
Electrocuted on his live broadcast
Sue dealt justice hard and fast
She was heard to say as hot sparks flew
“Beware you haters, I’ll fry you too!”

So that’s the story of Bloody Sue
Believe it or not, that’s up to you
A brutal beauty in scarlet cape
From her vengeful hands there’s no escape
She will draw from you your final breath
If she marks you with her kiss of death

Some say a ghost who haunts this earth
Others claim an angel, of heavenly birth
But all agree there’s one thing true

If you’re a son-of-a-bitch,
She’ll come for you

~ ~ ~

__________

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