Chasms we formed
in words, stitched
to sentences to sentence
to imprison by prejudice
them (the others)
behind the walls of animus
of illwill and hatred
may be broken or bridged
by seeing and sensing
comprehending,
seeing likeness
more than divergence.
We alone
can mend what’s broken
rebuild with gold of common sense
from love, compassion
humility and love.
Sometimes all it takes is
to smile
to say hello to strangers
to ask for help to give
to listen more than talk
to be the best of being human
not the worst
to make them a part of us.
Roger Weik
Mish is hosting dVerse Poetics today with an excelent prompt on mending the broken which can be an excelent oportunity that would fit the anthology
June 24, 2025
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Inspiring message Bjorn. I love this: rebuild with gold of common sense
from love, compassion
humility and love.
We need something hopeful
This is lovely, Björn, especially the phrase ‘rebuild with gold of common sense’. I often smile or say hello to strangers, and I get a golden feeling when they smile or greet me back.
I know that, and how easy it is to forget…
Extremely moving. I SO agree that the solution comes from each of us, that every small gesture of acceptance and kindness accumulates to make the change. Its the only way we have left, it seems. Love how you brought in the “gold”as well. Thanks for this beautiful, insightful poem.
I had to include the gold… and I do believe that the currancy of the future is community and compassion.
Inviting the other into one’s heart is the greatest healing gesture one human can offer to each other. (And I suspect it works the same way between human and nonhuman entities and orders.) Amen.
We have to be inviting… the alternative is worse
brilliant, that winning smile yes
much♡love
Thank you
At this rate it will take humanity thousands of years to reach what you wish for here. At micro-level it happens often enough though.
I think starting and expanding from the micro level is one way to do it.
A wise and hopeful poem, Bjorn. Well done.
Thank you
You are welcome.
‘listen more than talk’? Oh, I wish!
Wishful thinking from one who is guilty of talking too much
…And then when you talk less and listen more, folks think that you are being stand-offish!
The second half of the second stanza should be carved in stone in the centre of every settlement Björn…
Maybe, but I think it should be self evident actually
Indeed, but it seems not…
True words, Björn, but hard to imagine making Mr. Trump one of us. How do we even go about trying?
I do not know really… there are those we cannot reach (maybe he has to be ignored)
“rebuild with gold of common sense”–I love that. I like to think “most” people would agree. But I also agree with Life Lessons. There are always some people who can never be reached.
People of power will shrink if we ignore them
Yes, that’s true.
Agree and agree. Just a small gesture of greeting can build a bridge.
we build bridges one stone at a time.
Heartfelt poem Björn, the final line, “to make them a part of us,” is so emotionally resonant ❤️
If we only could do that…
Hi Björn,
I love the direction your poem. What helps clarify your intent is the parallelism in the second stanza. Thank you for posting your poem.
-a.
Beautiful, healing words, Bjorn. We need more of the like!
“rebuild with the gold of common sense”
Beautiful poem, Bjorn.
Not only is the message powerful but its emotionally truthful and honest.
(rebuild with gold of common sense
from love, compassion
humility and love.
Sometimes all it takes is
to smile
to say hello to strangers
to ask for help to give
to listen more than talk
to be the best of being human
not the worst
to make them a part of us.)
These lines every single one of them…made me cry because this is what I too, want from people and families. Just to be excellent to each other and not fight anymore. Hope I understood your work. I needed this.