Somewhere something
will wait
tense as a shadow
unwound
from the brightness of daylight,
to follow, matching your footsteps
to lead and to guide
more silent than verses unread
still insisting,
like the itch of a scab.
It reminds you of purposes lost
of lies you have told
of your badge of compassion
of how, when you are old
you cling to your past.
It will darken your days
make you believe
that, when it is late,
you may be saved by a dream
Somewhere, something
will wait
for your veins to be shadowed
by guilt.
Edvard Munch
Today it is open link night at dVerse hosted by Lillian, I went on writing about darkness and the sense of how it may be like a bad conscience ¨that will follow you and grow as you get older.
April 24, 2025
Björn Rudbergs writings 
ah Bjorn, when you go to the dark side, you do it so very well.
“more silent than verses unreadstill insisting,like the itch of a scab.”These words….the first two lines I love and was feeling comfortable and then was jolted by the 3rd one!I really tend to try and remember the positives…it’s why my daughter once said to me, “Mom, every movie can’t be the Sound of Music!”
It still is a call for action I hope
I like the eerie uncertainty of ‘somewhere’ and ‘something’ waiting ‘tense as a shadow’ and how it turns dark, into guilt.
Our conscience tends to follow us… and maybe from that we can start to act.
When you feel its breath, run to the good acts and remember those also. If you don’t have any/many, your tell-tale heart will catch up with you.
I wonder about nightmares of those people lacking it.
Fine exposition of the unbreakable linkages between then & now, Bjorn. Great stuff. Thanks.
our past is always a shadow
This deserves serval readings Bjorn – as someone above said – you do dark very well!
I think the only way to see the light is to look for it in the dark.
That doesn’t work for me- the dark is too strong
the deepening gloom of our collective shadow self haunts us, doesn’t it. Viscerally evocative, Bjorn!
It does… but we need to see it in ourselves first.
I suspected you’d go dark, and this so visceral, too. I like the idea that there is that “something” shadowing those who may have done dark deeds–finally haunted by guilt.
I thin only the ones who lacks conscience can go on without this shadow.
Yes, those without a conscience aren’t bothered at all.
Bjorn, your writings are first class excellence. Well done!!
Thank you so much
Yes, the darkness engulfs even those who pretend that karma or conscience won’t catch up – the shadow cannot be escaped!
We all have it… but maybe recognizing the shadow means a way toward light
Love the poem and the painting, thank you!
Thank you self. It was a good inspiration to think about the changes we are seeing.
Seems that dark side of our consciousness is always following in the shadows. We must leave it in the shadows and stay in the light of each day. We always second guess it seems.
I think we need the shadows to see the light actually.
The weight of being human is to be being waded in guilt. It overpowers, lingers and takes joy in making us apart, piece by piece. Beautiful poem.
My thought is it does not have to be like that. Christ sets free.💛
I like this line ‘tense as a shadow’. Despite the dark tone, I felt some positivity coming out from these words.
Dark and unsettling. Perhaps, due to the fact that we all have shadows that haunt us from time to time. In dreams we are able to decipher some pieces of our inner selves. Without darkness would we truly appreciate light. I think they are interwoven in the fabric of our being. But, I always strive to move towards the morning light.
I really like that first stanza! You’ve described it well.
Ominous…..
The shadow of conscience is never far behind us, I think we all have one whether we acknowledge it or not.
A conscience? Yes, my dreams keep me in line.
Wow, Bjorn, that was awesome!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com