I watch the bombers pass, an echo of warmth from your hand in mine. You were saved below in the company of earthworms and maggots. Saved from being blown apart, saved below a proper headstone.
I watch the city burning, I hear the screams of neighbors and sense the reek of death, but I also hear a blackbird singing, oblivious; and in its songs, I am bombarded yet.
I stand, an anvil of guilt is chained around my neck. Falling to my knees I beg the bombers to return, to claim my soul
but utterly alone I cry.
I thought I saved you from the horror of fosfor melting on your skin, a quick goodbye was better than being burned alive.
I drop the bloodstained shovel to the ground, turn and leave for my long journey into hell while the oblivious blackbird keeps singing.
Today Merrel hosts Prosery at dVerse, and she asks us to include the line; “I am bombarded yet I stand.” from Adrienne Rich, “Planetarium”.
November 8, 2021
Björn Rudbergs writings 
I like the twist at the end! I also like the way you invoke the horrors of modern warfare using Gothic imagery.
Oh, this is so evocative, Björn. I can feel for this narrator with survivor’s guilt. And the blackbird singing while the bombs are falling–wow!
This is a graphic, riveting write, Bjorn. It fairly took my breath away.
A gut-punch, a clarion call, another war poem for your lexicon. Scary, horrific, yet personal and connected. Excellent response to the prompt.
What about war is ever good
This is so sad.
Much💛love
You never shield our eyes in your war pieces, nor our ears with the singing of that blackbird, a haunting end!
Dark, sad, yet sober in its conclusion. Strong write Bjorn.
Wow. Very heavy and an excellent use of blackbird song.
We have made it a never-ending journey, haven’t we? (K)
Horrifying, but intense!
wow strong and intense poem.
Björn, I actually think this is brilliant. I mean – your writing is always impressive to me, but this is a huge WOW.
So hauntingly honest, so dark. The effects of war ripple and ravage generations later.
The horrors of war, survivors guilt….terrifying, horrific
Wow, Björn! This is definitely is one of your best. The regret of making the wrong decision can be a fate worse than death. Maybe especially when the difficult decision was done out of love. The imagery you used hit me in a very visceral way.
Mm yes..that comment about making the wrong decision really got it…the dilemma that the blackbird clearly does not have to live with..
Your story (or manifest) managed to use the quotation perfectly. I think we have failed a lot in the west, maybe even worse when we have good intentions… maybe when we were blunt about it, we were easier to understand.
Dark, deep, chilling ~~ you do it so well, Bjorn.
Powerful prosery. It felt panicked. Well done.
Breathtaking! Well done, Bjorn!
This is so evocative. I love how you split up the line and oh… so gripping.
A lovely take on a vexed topic
Such a powerful piece, Well done.
This is such a haunting and evocatively passionate look at the tragedies of war. The use of blackbird singing highlights the horrors.