My asylum has a garden where I sometimes walk, pretending that the soothing drugs that storm my veins are the sober bliss of sunshine on my skin, that the bruising on my arms comes from gardening, not from restraints they use to tie me to my dreams.
I am allowed to walk alone, counterclockwise only, but I often crave to rip apart and plunge my fingers into the topsoil, destroy this beauty for my cherished thistles I’d like, too, to plant.
The sweet alyssum that smells like honey and peace pursues me, tries to lure me sane, but my lungs are raging with a miasma of baneful nightshades.
I have ceased to wonder why I sought ferocious fame. I know what I have done, I can revel in my wicked deeds, but here I linger, saved from their revenge behind my mask of madness.
Vincent van Gogh
Today Sanaa hosts the Prosery at dVerse and she gives us the line “I’d like, too, to plant the sweet alyssum that smells like honey and peace.” from the poem, “What I would like to grow in my Garden.” by Katherine Riegel. Before even googling the flower alyssum (which I know well) I read Asylum which took me down my normal fictional murderous path
Björn Rudbergs writings 
So many good lines here. I think my favorite was “The sweet alyssum that smells like honey and peace pursues me, tries to lure me sane, but my lungs are raging with a miasma of baneful nightshades.” Simply perfect.
Thank you… I hope you join, we will be opening in just 5 minutes.
Wow! This is deliciously dark and enticing, Bjorn! I especially resonate with; “but I often crave to rip apart and plunge my fingers into the topsoil, destroy this beauty for my cherished thistles.” Thank you so much for writing to the prompt ❤❤
I really enjoyed to be the disruptive gardener in the asylum
Exquisitely composed, Bjorn. Like The Librarian before him, you have breathed life into Vincent VanGogh. I also like the creative way you broke up the line.
A great take on the prompt, Bjorn! I , too, thought of Van Gough when I read Sanaa’s prompt. I am still ruminating!
This is surprisingly dark for such a lovely line! I particularly like that “counterclockwise only” – if you can’t even decide which way to circle a garden, you really are being controlled! I found that very telling.
An excellent dig into the perspective of a troubled mind and a creative way to bring the garden into your piece. I could feel his struggle to remain in the “nightshades”.
Two things….one the first sentence had me almost laughing with joy it was so beautifully composed — you know those first sentences of novels that are just exsctly right, usually very simple, but very telling, with dramatic impact….and the second point…that twist, that sting in the end!
PS, I meant the first phrase to the comma, apologies. And yes, raises so many questions…I’ll just add brilliant, I think.
I agree with Ain about that first line. Perfect.
And the Van Gogh painting is the perfect choice, too.
what a combo your poem with a wonderful van Gogh.
Ohhhh my! This is brilliant. Which might be most intoxicating? Drugs… madness… or ethereal aromas?
Bravo!!! Nice one Björn
Much💛love
A very dark, brilliant post. I like the idea of madness being a refuge of sorts and I loved your use of the theme.
Full of intrigue Bjorn!
You took us on a journey into a troubled, damaged mind.
Wherever the path leads, you capture the very best of it. Wow, Bjorn .. this is amazing prose.
An excellent take on the prompt, Björn. I also saw “asylum” first and, yes, the maddening view through the eyes of Van Gogh works beautifully.
This is most likely a reality for many. I hope it is fiction for you. A provocative write.
Wow! I see a script coming to life from this! Holymoley!! Nicely done!
Pat