“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
― Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches
As darkness tiptoes through the lanes, we shut
the windows, block the doors to close the void
inside that cries for breaking bones, for guts
to tear, for blood, revenge for peace destroyed;
we beg for grace to find somewhere inside
forgiveness, pity or at least the nerve
to let contempt and hate subside, to dry
instead of being fed by fear, to verve
to grow this emptiness we nursed, deserved.
Odilon Redon
Today Laura hosts at dVerse MTB and asks us to write a a Novelinee consisting of a nine-line stanza in iambic pentameter (or several) in iambic pentameter with rhyme scheme a,b,a,b,c,d,c,d,d.
September 9, 2021
Björn Rudbergs writings 
‘to let contempt and hate subside, to dry
instead of being fed by fear’
– I think its a lesson the whole world could do with learning right now, otherwise I suppose we do deserve the darkness!
that opening line is stellar and the contrasts between our tendencies and desires pack a punch. Interesting use of verve as verb
This poem is so full of motion!
The illustration is a very different sort of Redon work.
love this line, “we beg for grace to find somewhere inside forgiveness” and the image paired with Black Hole Sun, perfect. 👏
Bjorn, one of your best poems ever, and much needed in this moment of time. I really connect to searching for:
“the nerve / to let contempt and hate subside.”
Perfect song choice also, as the “black hole sun” consumes everything in its path.
The way the lines run one into the next gives such urgency to the refusal of responsbility–the speaker knows they cannot run away from it, but are trying, line by line.
Bjorn,
An impassioned plea for sanity, no, for grace, in a world that seems pitiless more and more each day. Thank you.
pax,
dora
The only way out of the darkness is the hiding but the faith that love conquers all
Luv this poem. It speaks pandemic truths
Much💖love
This could be a poem about abortion and regret over it.
Such a lovely quote to start the poem I specially admire this line as it sparks hope and light
we beg for grace to find somewhere inside
we beg for grace to find somewhere inside
forgiveness, pity or at least the nerve
to let contempt and hate subside
Glad for the hope and less anxiety in facing the current problems affecting everyone the world over. Doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to disappear though!
Hank
“we beg for grace to find somewhere inside
forgiveness, pity or at least the nerve
to let contempt and hate subside.”
Fear is one of the greatest thing that divides all of us. So much of what happens in our world is fear manipulated for political gain! We must move beyond that to common sense once more! Well done.
Your lines are alive and chewing us to the core. Picking the -erve rhyme is tricky but you closed it with an epic line this poem deserves. Amazing, Bjorn.
Björn – this is, simply, one of the poems that makes me feel humble. Well done, Sir!
❤
David
I hope this heartfelt plea is heard by everyone. Splendid writing.
So sad and so heartfelt. I could feel the ache in my bones.
“ or at least the nerve
to let contempt and hate subside, to dry
instead of being fed by fear”
Yes. At least the nerve.
Loved this. Thanks for sharing. ♥️ 👏
Deep and meaningful Bjorn. Excellent word crafting!
We must beg for grace or be sucked darkness…heavy truth, Bjorn.
“to grow this emptiness we nursed, deserved” – wise words, Bjorn. Exactly – is it worth all the fight if all you win is emptiness? Forgiveness is always the answer. So well put ❤
I’ve never seen verve used as a verb before, but I can see what you mean by it!