is cast to wander
in search of what
is not quite clear
step by step
day after day
uncertain fate
unfolds this journey
filled with wonder
with joy and awe
fraught with sadness
with pain and tears
it’s carried me
‘cross boundaries
borders
mass of lands
‘cross time and space
it’s shown me mysteries
marvels
magic
good and evil
the best the least
it’s brought me pleasures
fame and fortune
only to claim them back
with no remorse
I’ve known satisfaction
adulation
a woman’s love
a child’s passing
this journey’s been true
faithful — genuine
only to turn away
and break my heart
it’s been fact
fiction
and contradiction
fantasy
and harshly real
I’ve been ignored
I’ve been betrayed
even honored
as a man of standing
then shunned
to stand alone again
I’ve traveled light
traveled fast
I’ve stumbled burdened
weighed with grief
I’ve lead and followed
lost my way
regained direction
to then lose the path
I’ve walked hand in hand
with fear and death
stared down depression
just to be consumed
then arose again
to venture forth
without a clue my destination
with no regard the fated outcome
nor consideration of my plight
I long ago abandoned worry
having learned it’s of no use
came to realize
despite our difference
at the core
we’re all the same
this realm we entered all alone
and here we’ll leave alone again
but all of this is of no matter
foolish so to dwell upon
of no concern
of no regard
most certainly not worth the measure
in reflection
one sees far too late
it is this journey
that is the treasure
rob kistner © 2019
Hi! I’m Edgrrr, rob’s shih tzu.
That’s some journey, Rob!
Journey to the center of my psyche Kim.
I don’t think that it is foolish to dwell upon one’s journey through life. This is a beautiful verse, Rob. Your voice is wise and insightful — the myriad hues of life are so well captured.
This says it all: “I long ago abandoned worry/having learned it’s of no use//came to realize/despite our difference/at the core/we’re all the same//this realm we entered all alone/and here we’ll leave alone again”
Thank you Anmol, you are most gracious.
A mighty slice of introspection, brother . So much honesty, insight and personal truth; a fabulous journey indeed. I like the lines /it’s been fact, fiction, and contradiction/. This piece is dizzying, like a speed date version of your life.
Thank you very much Glenn. My special kind of madness rolled out for viewing.
Rob it is clear you’ve learned a lot along the way. You’re right, worry is a waste of energy. Life does subject us to a little bit of everything doesn’t it. I love your pup, Edgrrr. Cute name cute dog. My mom has a girl ShihTzu named Hailey and she things the sun rises and sets in her.
Don’t know if I learned a lot, but I have experienced a lot Jade. 🙂 I LOVE my Edgrrr! <3
Wow, Rob, you take us on quite a journey there. This reminded me of “If” by Rudyard Kipling, in a funny kind of way. I think it was the notion of stepping back and looking at our experiences, rather than being consumed by them. You have certainly acquired wisdom along the way. Seeing experiences listed like that is very moving.
Glad this resonated for you Sarah. I see the world through my feelings, and I am forever analyzing my experiences, and reactions to them. It’s my personal madness.
It takes a lot of courage to look back and contemplate one’s journey through life. Beautifully poignant 🙂
Thank you Sanaa! I shared my emotional/psychological result/reaction to my life, rather than each incident, which would have requiired a book. But this is the sum total of 72 yard.
Your poem shows the richness of your life and journey. ?? And time has made you a wiser person.
Thank you Imelda. Don’t know if I am wiser, but I am older… 😉
Thank you for taking us through this journey through your life. That last stanza says it all!
You are most welcome Merril!
The whole life is a journey… what a wonderful walk it is… and it starts and ends in the same way
Yes, unceratin and alone – but that is the adventure of it all as I know you know Björn!
A full life I would say.
It sure as hell has not been boring Kerfe. Maybe if I ever write a memoir I will fill in the details behind this poem. Probably not. Who’d care?
A life’s journey very well captured. So much in here we all can relate too. Nicely done.
Pat
Thank you Pat!