Wild that word,
cast carelessly in outrage
is the iceberg to Titanic’s furniture
recklessly careening
across the first-class ballroom,
that word you said
breeds to ice-cold water
slowly swelling in
the iron-belly of our life;
that word is brine inhaled,
at last an end.
“Nearer, My God, To Thee”
Hello, today Lilian hosts the Quadrille at dVerse with the word careen, which made me think of a shipwreck. My poem also gives a lead to my prompt for MTB on Thursday.
November 1, 2021
Björn Rudbergs writings 
An amazing use of the word here, Bjorn.
“that word you said
breeds to ice-cold water
slowly swelling in
the iron-belly of our life;”
I cannot imagine what it must have been like for these people….I’ve seen several movies and documentaries about the Titanic. Have you read “Dead Wake” by Erik Larson? Amazing book about the Lusitania. Both ships that met their deaths in the sea.
I have not read a lot. But I do remember a song in Swedish that made a large impression on me.
It’s been so long, I had to read your poem twice to get it. It carries weight.
Incredible word-smithing, imaginative use of the prompt word. I could hear that iceberg tearing through the deck across the ballroom, could feel the fear of dropping down to Davy Jones.
What a compelling write Bjorn. I can only imagine how it must have felt to be on that ship.
As a person born and raised in Toledo, I enjoyed (while being a little bit shocked) your reference to the Toledo News-Bee.
holy shamoley.
I honestly don’t know how many times I read this… just – wow.
❤
David
This is exquisitely woven, Bjorn! I am especially struck by the image; “that word you said breeds to ice-cold water slowly swelling in the iron-belly of our life.” 💝💝
I shivered with this line: breeds to ice-cold water. A tragic event, to the end.
I must have misunderstood. I thought the Titanic was a metaphor for a breakup, not actually about the sinking of the ship.
You got it right
Ah good! That means you did too.
yes I knew it was deeper .. and you captured that well … it can indeed be like drowning in ice cold water!
Amazing
Quite an extended metaphor! Such powerful images, as well.
Well sunken.
Thanks for dropping by to read mine Björn
Much💛love
I’m thinking she said, “it’s over!” I enjoyed the metaphor of the relationship breaking apart and sinking like the Titanic! “That word is brine inhaled, at last an end.” Wow, that verse is deep! (pun intended)
brine inhaled,
at last an end.
Brine inhaled and gulped. A disaster not expected to happen but sadly astounded the world!
Hank
First class quadrille!
A beautifully conceived and executed extended metaphor, Bjorn, for the tragic end of a relationship.
pax,
dora
I really enjoyed where this prompt took your mind. After all those deck chairs were rearranged they were going to careen anyway. Your last lines gave me goose bumps!
When a relationship breaks it as disastrous as the biggest disaster. Excellent quadrille.
The film Titanic has lingered in my mind since I first watched it … you have captured the scene/s realistically. Cheers.
Whew. This phrase really packs a punch:
“slowly swelling in
the iron-belly of our life”
So good.
The chilly finality of a broken relationship – exquisitely expressed.