In triumph
being hailed success
the winner,
elected king
despot and ruler
can you hear
a whispered voice:
memento mori?
Does it nag you
that you cannot count the nights
you still have left?
Have you understood
eternity?
Do you know defeat
as dying,
or will you change
your ways
to make amends
forgive and die in peace?
Victorious.
Rene Magritte
Today Merril hosts dVerse poetics with a prompt and trumph and defeat at dVerse. I was reminded of a roman myth(?) saying that every general celebrating a success had to have a slave whispering “memento mori” to remind the triumpher that he too would die some day.
Which also reminds me of Harry Potter and saying that death is a victory if it comes to you as a welcome guest at the end of a fruitful life.
June 17, 2025
Björn Rudbergs writings 
An interesting view on victory, Björn. I wonder if anyone has asked him those questions and received an honest answer.
I wonder if he ever asks himself.
Me too.
I think this can apply to so many rulers. Well-done, Björn. That Magritte is perfect, too.
It made me laugh when I saw that image.
Surrealism for sure!
This is gorgeously rendered, Bjorn! I especially like; “Does it nag you that you cannot count the nights you still have left?”
The reference to Harry Potter and the saying at the end is brilliant 💙💙
I liked that saying…
Me too 😀
The last stanza: to see dying in peace as a victory.
I think it has to be something to wish for
excellent poem on a sensitive topic – and your closing notes reminded me of an old saying (I heard it on a show called Quincy, but someone told me they heard it on Dr. Who – but I guess it is older than that) and it goes “Doctor, Doctor, will I die” the patient asked – the doc replied, “Yes, yes, yes you will – and so will I” –
and the whispering of “memento mori” sound slike it helps to keep all things in perspective and keep that ego in check
We will all die… but not everyone has a meaningful life
agree
interesting
much♡love
Very literate, gives it extra touches…so interesting about the slave that whispers…no comment about who needs that the most right now.
Interesting tidbits at the end about the myth and even Harry Potter
A profound poem Björn.
Very thought provoking, Bjorn.
Ah, that we had more humble victors, instead of the clown circus of empowered fools now whipping the reins of power.
I think this is the danger of winners…
Donald Trump will die knowing his life has not been fruitful. Has life has been a parade of failures, a petty, childish coward. There will be no hymns sung to him, nor poetry written. His is and has always been an empty life.
Everyone will die, but not everyone does anything good.
I suspect Donald Trump is sufficiently self-deluding to think that he is the greatest man who ever lived and even facing death is unlikely to change his mind…
Deeply thought-provoking, Bjorn. Yvonne shouts the truth, no whispering allowed.
That last stanza is so powerful!
Great questions, Bjorn. It is with questions that the mind is stimulated! The answers we make up as James Taylor sing… “to help us to sleep!”
Very nice!
Love the reference to Harry Potter Björn 🕶️🙌
It’s good to remember that death will come but how many of the present day leaders remember that! Very well-written and that painting is a perfect match.
A great consideration of the final weighing Björn and is this the first time that Harry Potter has been quoted on dVerse?
I like the idea that death can be a victory if you have lived a fulfilled life.
tRump would immediately fire anyone that dared to remind him of his ultimate death. I fear those in the succession line for the presidency. The US is so screwed.