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.
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
Björn Rudbergs writings 
I enjoyed that very much. I am not often drawn in by a dystopian setting but yours was smooth to read and easy on the comprehension. Really nice write.
Thank you… it was hard not be dystopian from the given sentence.
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.”
Thank you… I wonder how far we will decline
I wonder that too, Bjorn.
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.
Into space or into the underground… yes somewhere the books have to be kept.
Yes! It kind of makes me think of Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451.
Great classic take from you Bjorn! And yes you do fear for the future of books and stories with the young less interested. Nice work!
Yes… I fear this a lot
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..
The clearing out of libraries has already started….
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.
Something will come back I think
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.
Yes, reading is declining
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.
Maybe your oldest just have to find a community where it is cool to read.
I fear this is all too real…there is a fear that no one will read or write in the future with AI doing it all. A bleak tale of where we may end up.
AI at least managed to draw me the picture
Nice read. Even though it is dystopian it doesn’t have the tone of despair. Perhaps there is hope in the trying.
A glimmer of hope maybe
Fantastic look of past present and future. The AI generated image is on point!!!
much♡love
I hope the future don’t have to get this far…
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.
Brilliantly written, Bjorn. I hope your fictional world never becomes reality, but with so many people turning away from facts and so many caring less about rules and norms, it’s becoming more possible. Scary idea!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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
That image of the library and your prosery is frightening, yet comforting somehow. We all have a place to go, a place of hope.
Oh wow, Bjorn, a great dystopian twist.
Fictionalising the dystopia which could be just around the corner is a great way to go Björn…