I made my box from stone,
ice-polished granite, born
by the sea with salt in its veins.
Airtight its lid, keeping
the vacuum, my void, obscure.
I filled it with dreams, ambitions
of verses, ideals enshrined, but
later forgotten when broken.
Somewhere inside, frozen
my youth, the passions I had
waiting, still g(r)asping for air.
My Box is kept hidden, closed
not forgotten, and one night,
unless it is turned to my coffin,
the wind from sea will break
up the seals, setting me free.
Today at dVerse Kim prompts us to write a poem based on the poem ‘My Box’, by Gillian Clarke, a Welsh poet and playwright, which you can read here.
We are free to write it as we can but to keep it autobiographical, in free verse, and in three stanzas similar to those in Clarke’s poem: the first stanza describes the box; the second what is in it; and the third where you keep it, with a summarising list in the final two lines.
This is partly autobiographical and is more about my bad consciousness of things I could have done (or done better). I still need to keep it closed.
April 9 2024
Björn Rudbergs writings 
A stunning box, Björn! I love that it’s made from ‘ice-polished granite, born by the sea with salt in its veins’, that you filled it with dreams and your frozen youth.
I still hope to open it one day.
So beautifully wrought, Björn, though the sentiments are downcast, but ends on an optimistic note. I loved each line, especially the opening which fixes the box firmly in your homeland, “by the sea with salt in its veins’.
Thank you… the coast-line where I was born has those ice-polished rocks, that I really felt should be part of my story.
This is exquisitely drawn, Bjorn! I love the intricate details especially; “ice-polished granite, born by the sea with salt in its veins.” 💖💖
Thank you… it is drawn from my upbringing by the sea
I love this so much, Björn. I feel the same way about hiding mine.
We need to keep some things hidden I think… sometimes even for ourselves.
Yes! I felt that as well. Some secrets just don’t need to be revealed.
The last stanza is my favorite part of your poem. You have a heavy box hidden away yet there is still the possibility that the sea will break it free. Don’t we all have a heavy box hidden somewhere that we would like to be free of?
I think so too… that particular box may sink us in the end.
Open the box Bjorn.
I might do it… at least a little bit.
I liked the turn that the box is also a prison.
Thank you, it’s that kind of box.
Your box born from the sea to be set free to the sea when the journey is complete. It is a strong box that can withstand life’s storms.
We need to open it at some time, but it may hurt.
A very moving poem Bjorn
Thank you so much
You’re very welcome
“my youth, the passions I had
waiting, still g(r)asping for air.” – loved this part especially, it makes me think of honoured melancholy.
Melancholy is a feeling we should honor.
Like me Bjorn, I think you need to do a bit of work on your box and getting free.
Indeed I should
We become prisoners of our own past. I love how it starts with the box being wrought from “ice-polished granite, born
by the sea with salt in its veins” and ends with “the wind from sea will break
up the seals, setting me free”…coming full circle.
Thank you, yes my thought was that it should return to where it started…
You are welcome.
A very nice box poem. I hope some of those dreams got out!
The will (and the do)
Yes, the do reside together it seems!
Incredibly beautiful, Bjorn. I can visualize your box, its impenetrable shell. The passions g(r)asping for air.
Thank you… I need the wind from the sea
When the time is right, the warm, balming wind from the sea will visit you, but only then. It takes courage to get vulnerable in poems, and I appreciate the courage it took to write this.
I think we all have those things shut away, living is a compromise I think.
Bjorn, I think you’re right.
Hi Bjorn, I love your poem. It is beautifully descriptive. I hope I will see you at the meeting on Saturday.
Of course, I will be the one running it this time.
Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow…stunning.
Thank you so much
You’re most welcome!
A box of granite smoothed by the sea and a vacuumed lid is resistant. I can well understand that it takes a lot to finally force it open and look over. Sometimes I think it is okay to keep a box closed, if it is protection. Beautifully written poem Bjorn.
Yes… we need to keep some things under lock and key.
I really like that sense of the potential for liberation!
~David
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