If you search for a place to lessen your burdens,
a place like a wood, or the edge of a river,
a place where your mind is relieved,
you learn that the quest in itself
increases the weight of your sorrows.
But then when least you expect it,
when talking and joking with friends, you
find that your breathing has grown
like wind through your forest
and the laughter you share is
the river, the beaches
and mountains you’ve climbed.
A place of contentment
is never a conquest
but a path through the forest
you share with your friends.
Alpine forest in Northern Sweden
A poem for Sherry at toads… of a place where we feel we are healed. To be linked to Poetry Pantry tomorrow as well.
—
November 17, 2018
Björn Rudbergs writings 
“A place of contentment is never a conquest”….this is the truth!! The poem resonated with me so much! ❤️
Oh Bjorn, this is PERFECT. I love the breathing “like wind through your forest”, and laughter, “the river, the beaches, and mountains you’ve climbed.” What a wonderful interpretation of the prompt. I wish I had written it. Smiles.
OH, that last stanza is golden.
Theres nothing quite like nature to heal us is there? This is such a beautiful poem Bjorn.
That is so true, it is not a conquest but a journey through this path, with friends amid laughter and love. This bit resonated with me particularly: “you learn that the quest in itself/increases the weight of your sorrows.”
A lovely write, Bjorn! 🙂
Another of my favourite places! Luckily, I don’t have to go far to be with trees, I have plenty in our garden. I love the lines:
‘A place of contentment
is never a conquest
but a path through the forest
you share with your friends’.
the quest in itself
increases the weight of your sorrows…. love that… very deep and profound.
If a place of contentment is really a path, then we have to keep moving, right? At least we will have companions along the way!
That last stanza took my breath away!💞 Such a profound write, Bjorn! 😀
Nice reminders of peaceful places of contentment. They are usually solitude places for me.
This is a wonderful piece of writing!! Love this path through the woods.
lovely…
I agree, there’s agony in the search but levity in finding the simple path
I love this poem and that ending is wonderful…sage words indeed like a proverb we all need to remember. Connections to friends and spending time with them is the refuge.
Bjorn, this is contemplative and I can feel peace settle into my weary soul. The journey is not a conquest it is about so much more. Enjoy each part of your journey Bjorn (a bear is at home in the woods- just saying)
Peace taken by forced can never work. But when it’s found, welcomed, and shared… now that, that is glorious. Love this, Bjorn.
This is exactly what it was like being reunited with my siblings last night, despite the painful circumstances.
This is wonderful. It is a reflective observation expressed simply – and yet, at its heart – is that which we all quest after, write about philosophize over and, often, make ourselves miserable seeking its origin. And that is ‘a place of contentment’. Love it! This is very cool, Björn.
Nothing wrong with that argument. Well said!
Omg! You kind of wrote what I’ve always felt, but never imagined A similar analogy.
I love this poem. I’m tweeting this and sharing on Facebook with due credits to you, of course.
Hope that’s ok Bjorn.
Such evocative words! They made my heart glow on a gloomy day…
Wisely put, friend, and you’re right. We search for power but if we learn to surrender wet receive grace in serenity.
Much wisdom here.
A refreshing reflection on the wonderful qualities of nature, its many moods and dispositions always echoing with intrigue.
Such peace in your words Bjorn.
Yes, yes it comes in waves of friends, unexpected at times, but glorious every time.
So true.
I really liked the ‘recovery’ from the second stanza to the third. Before that I could sense the suffering worsen. If me, I might have jumped into the river.
..
You’ve beautifully captured the true blessing of friends. Love your use of metaphor.
A place of contentment
is never a conquest
but a path through the forest
you share with your friends.
so much truth and wisdom in your lines, Bjorn!