Every new beginning clings
to the edge, of a pivotal
moment of regret;
for a sorrow that can’t be measured,
but carries in itself a weight,
like the sickly smell of lilies left or
mud that sticks to boots.
We clasp to past because
there is comfort in the pain;
instead of changing
sheets we endure the stains.
But the day will come
to clean the house
to sweep the floors and
let this stale air be replaced
with a brightness
breezed from spring.
Young Man with a Broom by Vincent van Gogh
A poem to be linked to Open Platform at toads tomorrow.
Björn Rudbergs writings 
‘instead of changing sheets we endure the stains’: a line that stood out for me in a poem I very much enjoyed reading.
This is a beautiful poem and I love the painting
This, for me, evoked very strong imagery. Perhaps it is the change of season – that always makes me think of entering a new passage, with a bit of dust from the old one, still clinging. An awesome piece of writing that gave me pause.
You are so right. I needed to read this — to help me let go and move on with my life.
This is an excellent poem, start to finish, with wonderful, imagery, expression, and line breaks. Thank you for writing this.
there is so much hope in that last stanza.
instead of changing
sheets we endure the stains…. fabulous imagery!
Some great lines, Björn! ‘instead of changing sheets we endure the stains’-and I love the ending
‘let this stale air be replaced with a brightness breezed from spring.’
beautiful….. and powerful…..
WOW!!! this IS poetry
Have a nice Tuesday Bjorn
much love…
Love this especially; “instead of changing sheets we endure the stains”💞 Powerfully penned.
Every new beginning clings to the edge…ain’t it the truth! Thanks for the write, I enjoyed reading it.
Comfort can hurt so much to keep. Starting over can be so terrifying. But like your poems suggests by the end, change is a necessity… something we must get if we want to breathe.
this poem grabbed me from the very beginning! Letting go is so very hard to do but there is a new broom sweeping the air
Muddy boots and stained sheets, must we endure?
..
I totally enjoyed it, Bjorn ! It is all so true and indeed the day will come.
Clasping the past because there’s comfort in the pain………how that resonates! Very wise words.
Ah, spring cleaning! I’ve just bought a new vacuum cleaner in preparation. But seriously, the lines,
‘…a sorrow that can’t be measured,
but carries in itself a weight,
like the sickly smell of lilies left or
mud that sticks to boots’
carry so much meaning for me. The year my mum died, I went to stay with my daughter in the month before the funeral, which happened to be January into February. I remember thinking not to let the florist include lilies in the wreath because Mum hated the sickly smell. We took the dogs for walks every day, for which I had to buy some new wellies that got covered in mud. I forgot to clean them before I left and Ellen put them in a cupboard as they were and I haven’t seen them since – I wonder what state they are in now. Just goes to show the state I was in then.
My favourite lines are:
‘We clasp to past because
there is comfort in the pain;
instead of changing
sheets we endure the stains’ – but only for so long. I’m just about ready for that spring clean of the soul..
kaykuala
We clasp to past because
there is comfort in the pain
Resistance to change is a strong element to hinder any necessary action to progress. Agreed, Bjorn!
Hank
Really beautiful Bjorn. Especially loved this: We clasp to past because there is comfort in the pain; instead of changing sheets we endure the stains.- Reminds me of a Swedish proverb: If everyone swept their own doorstep the whole world would be clean.
Excellent, excellent poem! The opening lines are something I think so many can relate to and you expressed the idea with aching precision.