Maybe futile

· by · in dVerse, the aged librarian. ·

In vain we try to find our ways in everlasting gloom, we search tunnels for a breath of fresh air, we search, room to room, through corridors for the briefest divine intervention where can we find light

In this never-ending shade, though, all hope has dwindled to despair.

The elders tell stories from before when living above was still possible, when shadows were a blessing to seek a midsummer day, not the curse of a never-ending night.

Their stories, though, have become myths and once they die we will tell them with the same conviction as the myths of all the old manuscripts and books we guard for a future unknown.
Our youths have ceased to read, our old are dying which leaves a few of us, willing to document the decline we have faced since the disaster.

Maybe it’s futile, but we try.

A picture generated by AI.

Today Merril has the prosery prompt at dVerse, and to remember the fact the poetry reading from four years ago when Amanda Gorman read her poem “The hill we climb” we shall incorporate the line:

“where can we find light in this never-ending shade?”

My choice of going dystopian in this was easy.

January 20, 2025

30 responses to “Maybe futile”

  2. I love the dystopian setting, Bjorn! The images here are so sharp, crisp and distinct. 💙💙

    I especially relate to; “Our youths have ceased to read, our old are dying which leaves a few of us, willing to document the decline we have faced since the disaster.”

  3. It could very well be the future. I like how you broke the line.

    I also like that you got books and a library of sorts into it. Perhaps there will be some who will carry it on.

  5. Well..the darkness is real here, and metaphorical….hand the concept of the past being erased quite terrifying, and I suppose their us a chance that all we took for granted is indeed disappearing..even if we do not know yet..

  6. Bjorn we could be experiencing the end, and yes, it’s up to archeologists of the future (if there are any from earth, or from other worlds) to piece together what happened from remains, including the chronicles that have been written of it.

  7. These words: “Our youths have ceased to read, our old are dying which leaves a few of us, willing to document the decline we have faced since the disaster.” Powerful and I am afraid, coming true.

  8. Scary-good image. I make a point to have my kids read every day. The younger two enjoy reading. My oldest says he doesn’t, but then gets lost in a book once he starts reading. I keep my fingers crossed that they grow a love of literature.

  12. Like Violet, I don’t usually favour dystopian (I don’t even like the word!) but you have written this masterfully and the despair is not the end game. Never give up. Beautiful write.

  14. Björn, your poem evokes a haunting sense of struggle and loss, yet there’s a quiet determination in the effort to document it all. The imagery of searching through darkness really sticks with me.

    Much love,
    David

  15. That image of the library and your prosery is frightening, yet comforting somehow. We all have a place to go, a place of hope.

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