I
Cars, passing, their headlights
illuminating the cadaver
of autumn’s last hedgehog.
II.
Left on the sidewalk
the butt of a cigarette, lipstick-stained
part of a shopping list (unreadable)
faeces from a mid-sized dog,
III
In her wake, waves of Chanel no 5
and a faint echo of
leaving stiletto heels.
IV.
Rats, dusk-unashamed
feasting on slices of pizza
(pepperoni and capers)
V.
A brimming trashcan with
crumbled-up divorce papers (unsigned)
a super-market bouquet of roses
an empty chocolate box
and an empty beer can.
VI.
Staring at stars,
a peregrine falcon on a skyscraper ledge
forgets for a while, the city below.
Hilma af Klint
Fragment poetry for Laura at dVerse.
December 2, 2021
Björn Rudbergs writings 
oh you have mastered the fragment poem Bjorn- based on the philosophy of Schlegel “A fragment should be like a little work of art,
complete in itself and separated from the rest of the universe
like a hedgehog. – and that first stanza references that perfectly
Happy to be reading you again, Bjorn. Your vivid imagery abounds with meaning. Each stunning in its own way.
This is exquisitely woven, Bjorn! I especially love; “In her wake, waves of Chanel no 5 and a faint echo of leaving stiletto heels.”💝💝
Some great fragments… marvellous imagery
The falcon has the right idea.
I’m struck by the grim tackiness of the city, the images of refuse, waste, and the crew that clean up after us, thriving on our leavings. Dark and effective.
fascinating fragments of life stockpile in our litter and our minds …
Given the keen eye for a city’s fragments, I’m with the falcon.
the fragments of city life that never quite jells as society. loved this poem.
Wow, this was great, so many cool images. My favorite phrase out of so many is Autumn’s Last Hedgehog, which is in title case because it is an awesome title prompt!
This work soars throughout, Bjorn, but goes astro in V and outtasight in VI. Very cool. Salute
I really enjoyed reading this. It felt like taking a walk to clear the mind.
The goings-on that preceded the time observed were typically revealing of the activities of a big city. All sustained through scraps strewn in the streets. Great observation Bjorn!
Hank
Yes, the falcon knows what the city is…
The reality of your story fragments is so hard-hitting… with the common knowledge we have, we all know the gaps…
The last stanza stitched it together while ripping the seams. I felt for the last hedgehog.
I love this, you have captured all the fragments of the city. I think the falcon has the best view and the ability to take flight at will. To have wings….
I absolutely loved this from start to finish. Wow! ☺️
i agree. You fulfilled the prompt perfectly, Bjorn. Well done. And, a perfect illustration.
Masterful.
An excellent slice of life…I see it as flashes, beginning a film. (K)
I love this. Especially the peregrine at the end — symbol of those who wander, brilliant!
Fantastic poem! I really loved it 🙂
The seamier side of city life comes vividly alive in your words. Terrifically done.
City life perfectly fragmented into experiences!
The sneak peeks we try to avoid, impossible to look away. One of my favorite Bjorn poems! (Love the art you chose.)
Pithy vignettes of city life…I love stanza 5 with divorce papers unsigned.
Wow! I love all the vivid images and the parenthetical phrases. Each stanza is a perfect snapshot, and together they do form a cityscape.
Each scene of cityscape bears its weight lightly, implying an untold story in the discarded remnants on pavement or gutter or trashcan. The last stanza takes us to a transcendent place above the squalor of life but not beyond its beauty. Loved this, Bjorn.
Pergrin falcon, proudly rested, high above the concrete and clamor of the city. Fully aware and fully removed, knowing that city like above you above your will.. A truly fearless cosmopolitan bird, bawdy, bold, and brilliant. They have trained us well to erect the high and loftlui vestigle pulpits of their realizations! Domain
The sneak peeks we try to avoid, impossible to look away. One of my favorite Bjorn poems! (Love the art you chose.) sorry if this is a duplicate …
Fragments of life, just as they, are without decoration or alteration. This is excellent. I like how you have combined the human world and the natural world within this.
This is wonderful Bjorn, full of vivid detail and images that jolt the brain! JIM