Rust
eats its
past
glories.
Tomorrow’s
warfare
fades
among
butterflies.
Dying muscles
leaking oil;
growing
grass
caress
iron hulls.
Forget
the
burns from
ash.
Linked to Real toads where we do some repetitions of past prompts.My choice was to do a waltz wave form. 1,2,1,2 ,3,2,1, 2,3,4,3,2,1,2,3,2,1,2,1 syllables. I took some pictures of rusty military vehicles a while back. I will also link this to Poetry Pantry.
—
October 25, 2014
Björn Rudbergs writings
Poetry and fiction by a physicist from the dark side
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Rust eating past glories ~ Admiring the form very much ~ I haven’t tried this one yet & good example Bjorn ~
I love the butterflies in the battle of stolen time=well done!
I like this a lot. Kind of peaceful despite the painful past of war.
There’s so much to love in all the sound play and imagery, Bjorn…brevity and the shape suites this well…great form work as well! 🙂
Bjorn, I didn’t recognize the form until I read process notes, but the first thing I admired was that snaking down the page.
There is subtle and not-so-subtle commentary here, and both are greatly appreciated. I had a dream once, and it was a sparrow flying in triumphant freedom straight over a bloody battlefield, as though nature will have last say. But what we leave behind in war… the rust, the depleted uranium, the blood of children and elders. None of it washes clean, none of it. Brill. Amy
this is a trip from elegance (butterflies) to machismo (muscles) to pain (burns), it’s a wonder that it all fit into one short poem. you’re a genius!
Life too withers away leaving behind the rusty trail…………………
Ah, this is lovely Bjorn. I have always found the waltz wave a bit limiting in its brevity but you have encapsulated a history and keen observation in your piece.
“Tomorrows warfare fades among butterflies. Stunningly poignant imagery. A very beautiful and considered piece of poetry.
It is always good to come across a different form of poetry. Especially with the subtle message that everything passes.
i only wish that more war toys would sit rusting, unusable, and butterflies could purch on them. much like ships sunk in the ocean and become home for so many living things under sea
good write, mi amigo
Had not heard of that style before, works well!
each image powerful stack up one onto the other
rust is rather cool though….i love the art it makes of things…so many stories as well. in those crumbling old vehicles…
“Tomorrows warfare fades among butterflies”… if only it were so for more military vehicles… for all of them…sculptural reminders of how we can choose love over hate.
Great poem, it flows well and the imagery it invokes is very solid.
Björn, even the strongest grow weak over time. Your poem is perfect.
What a great line- rust eats its past glories. The form worked well for this story.
I wish all warfare would fade among butterflies. A fantastic write, Bjorn.
nicely done…time and transience overwhelms all.
A very cool poem, Bjorn, intense contrasts and uses the form really well. k.
This is so cool. I so admire poets, like you, who have the talent and patience to follow a form. I can dance it, but don’t know if I’ll write it.
i like how you’ve taken a somewhat feminine form (can I say that) and brought it to life with a male theme (or is it neutral gender)
Love how rust eats the future as well as thepast!
Beautiful…
I like this. Wonderful contrast of war being overrun with rust and growth of weeds. “Rust eats its past glories.” Sooooo good.
Great use of the form. A very visual and vivid poem, Björn.
been thinking about this…
rusting cannon left
depleted uranium dust
who wins sacred ground
the title itself is poetry. the scars of war sometimes temporarily covered by time. but soon it will be uncovered again.
Such complexity in so few words. Especially love “tomorrow’s warfare fades among butterflies.” Great piece.
But still standing in same pride :);)
Very well written, Bjorn! So simple, yet so profound 🙂
Wonderful form and near rhyme cadence.
Powerful ending!
What the gentle style, so fit with content …military rusty car covered with new life, grass and butterflies…nice
Love the depth of the imagery you used!
Ah, the switch back of images the first a bit depressing, the second lovely – I mean flowers covering warfare (for that is what butterflies are attracted to… so that’s how I saw it) and then back to the oil and dying grass back to …. and so on. Really cool.