as the river slows
in bogs
it rots
while being crushed
cascading
it thrives to gems
like it is for us,
the greatest risk
is staying
stagnant
stinky
never moving
still believing
that it’s better staying
safe than being sound.
Today Tricia Sankey guest hosts at dVerse Poetics, and she challenge us with writing about risk. I sometimes feel that the riskiest thing we might do is trying to avoid taking risks.
June 8, 2021
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Oh wow, I really love this.
You captured it well Bjorn. there is that risk to being stagnant and safe. To strive to become gems in these situations take real effort.
I think you might be right Björn. As Blake said: ‘Expect poison from the standing water.’
Oh I had not heard that, but it’s a rule I follow when I hike and have to drink from the streams.
It’s certainly a wise one!
Of course, Bjorn. My lack of attention entirely, so please consider my comment null and void and forgive me for trying to crit on 2 glasses of excellent white wine 🙂
No problem —
Bjorn, you and I wrote along the same lines today. Still can be blessed relief for those battered by chaos, but rest too long and…
This is exquisitely drawn, Bjorn! I agree, there is risk in being stagnant. One must try and opt to expand his horizon. It is as Mark Twain said; “Why not go out on a limb? That’s where all the fruit is.” 💝
True words. 🙂
Bjorn,
It isn’t “sound” to stay safe always, is it? There’s a built-in entropy at the heart of all things and there’s no shorter route to it than playing it safe and staying “stagnant/stinky” without the energy of that swift-flowing river. Love how all your metaphors play so well together.
pax,
Dora
Brilliant write, Bjorn. Following the river presents eddies and falls. Good analogy.
Pingback: Staying stagnant – Fae Corps Inc·
So true, just as in Anais Nin poem on how buds must bloom, rivers MUST flow or they sure do stink! I must say your words always flow with a grace that seems so effortless!
Water metaphors always fascinate me. Living part of my life as an artist, I certainly understand overcoming fear and diving feet first into risk after risk, absorbing rejection and failure, and pushing on.
An admiral poem showing deep understanding, yet I wonder if your last word should have been ‘heard’ rather than ‘sound’. Just a thought.
Maybe… but I had it as a wordplay on the saying “better safe than sound”
never moving still believing
that it’s better staying
safe than being sound.
That’s right Bjorn. It is not right not to take risks. By being stagnant in effect one is regressing.
Hank
As you many have guessed, I believe in taking risks … moving forward. [that stinky smell is really BAD] Love your write, Bjorn.
I like your use of “sound” – the ambiguity of meaning – and I feel the truth in this.
truth is fractal, isn’t it? not just the square edges we seem to want it to be ~
Oh oh oh – that ending – oh oh oh – oh!
Love it – “better staying safe than being sound”
A billabong is far more dangerous than a river of rapids, agreed.
Inertia is indeed a trap. (K)
yup, the riskiest thing to do is not taking risks. We become stinky– We do! No one likes to be a stinker.
It looks like we both used gems, which are usually seen as valuable as being contributors to something negative (stagnation). Nicely done.
nice take on rolling stones gather no moss.
Yes, to all of this.
I really like your words of wisdom here! To stop taking risks is to bog down.. lose energy and die!
“the greatest risk
is staying
stagnant”
This! Resting a moment is one thing, but sooner or later the call of nature itself in hunger, relief or sheer restlessness will call you to move. We are not made to be still until we die. Being stagnant gets us to the inevitable faster. Life is about living.
a lot of deep thought here Bjorn …
well said bjorn, stagnation is the slow death, enjoyed this very much
Right on Bjorn. Write on Bjorn! There is nothing stagnant about d’verse.
“it’s better staying
safe than being sound.”
so so so brimming with wisdom, Bjorn, and techniques. The enjambments are effectively done.
Within the sound of the roaring river is found life’s joy.
Pingback: Staying stagnant – jalalsawal·
It thrives to gems, great line 😁