The past projects itself
into the present,
into politics and policies
into division
and democracy’s decay
distorted and changed
like the rippled reflections
of grazing creatures I passed
the last day of summer.
The past presents itself
to the aged librarian
in the history section
referring to religion
to philosophy, but
history will more reflect
the date of publication than
when it really happened.
The past is present
every day, a mirror
on how to see and understand
the world, and if it doesn’t
fit our views we rewrite
to let it be a story of ourselves,
and that’s why
the aged librarian still
searches for himself
among the shelves.
Today Merril hosts dVerse poetics with a prompt on reflections either done as an ekphrastic prompt or using the reflection in more general. My thoughts went to how we treat history as a subject, and how we see similarities between present and past.
September 16, 2025
Björn Rudbergs writings 
The repetition of ‘the past’ emphasises the importance and the influence past events have on the present, and the future. A contemplative aged librarian poem, Björn. I love the ending.
Thank you… maybe history is one to reflect and find ourselves.
I feel honored that the aged librarian made an appearance in a poem inspired by my prompt!
Wonderful final lines–I think he searches as most thinking people do as they get older. Here in the US, there are people who are trying to rewrite history by erasing documents, removing artifacts, scrubbing websites. We’re in 1984.
That was part of what I wanted to say… and it has happened before…. the power of history is that can always be rewritten…
Yes. Sigh. You might remember I’m a historian, so I understand about interpretation, but deliberate destruction and misinformation is a crime to me.
Kim, wonderful use of alliteration and repetition with subtle, sly word shifts. With digital editing I think history is fluid at best anymore. All the more reason for the librarian to take special care with hard copies of everything. Very relevant poem for all times.
Indeed we need the archives and libraries more than ever.
This is exquisitely drawn, Bjorn! I especially admire; “The past is present every day, a mirror on how to see and understandthe world.” 💙💙
A lovely addition to the aged librarian collection 😀
History is a tool I think.
Most definitely 😊
OOPS I thought this was Kim’s poem. Sorry. My comment doesn’t change though (aside from Bjorn instead of Kim.)
🙂
History never repeats itself. Man always does -Voltaire
Not sure if it doesn’t repeat… it is still a template for what we want to do.
It’s a complex one but I know what you mean.
As an “aged librarian” myself, I can relate intimately with this. Love it.
I am not librarian, but he is a fictional character of mine
I’m sure every aging generation thinks its getting harder to understand the present moment, but the acceleration sure is astounding.
Indeed… and then we turn to history to try to understand the present.
Hey, Björn,
I like that reflection in multiple sense.
These lines in particular:
“history will more reflectthe date of publication thanwhen it really happened”.
The history of writing history is maybe even more interesting.
Fantastic writing.
Thank you
I really love these lines:
but
history will more reflect
the date of publication than
when it really happened.
History… the illusion of what once was and the mirage of what we see in the future…. both unreal!!
Thank you… history as a tool is dangerous…
It can get distorted very easily!
What a deeply reflective poem – and such a good ending. Even though story can be corrupted the rhythm of your words flowed like a stream – Jae
Thank you, I try my best to mold the words
“history will more reflect / the date of publication than / when it really happened.” I really like how these lines work. I’m understanding them to mean that history is not really written by the victorious, but rather by the historian in the moment that they are writing it reflecting upon the past in the context of the historian’s present. Very cool.
You have to understand the historian to understand the history.
Perusing the WordPress reader after hitting publish on this and it’s clear you and I are on the same wavelength today! https://wp.me/sf7qh8-genesis
Thank you
I like your aged librarian, been to see him many times. Thanks for having him in your poem. BTW, I am an aged blogger. Thank you.
I am Jim
He is a returning character.
Would that more voters and politicians in the U.S. reflected more on the past as it seems to be repeating itself…and that is not a positive reflection!!
I think that is why they try to rewrite history again….
a most interesting poem, Bjorn. When I write my book about the Second Anglo Boer war I learned the truth of the expression, history is written by the winners.
It is so true… and also history is written to project your agenda on the present.
Yes, and that is even worse.
“but
history will more reflect
the date of publication than
when it really happened.”
i see the aged librarian is neither gullible nor easily influenced
Nice one, Björn
much♡love
I hope he isn’t…. we need people digging for truth.
The aged librarian is both thoughtful and relevant…as is your poem! Our reflection on history should be too…maybe we can learn something?
Thank you… I really want to use this persona to reflect and see how we modify history.
History and news should be neutral…just the facts, please! Is that even possible?
Very contemplative, Bjorn, and well done. I especially like your final stanza.
Thank you… history and the perspectives is something we should all reflect on.
“the past is present everyday, a mirror…” how very true. We can say that the present is the fruit of all the choices done in the past. And yet, how much do we truly know of the past when history books are written from a certain perspective?
That is why there is nothing wrong in rewriting history… often there are original sources that has been excluded that can bring in new perspectives.
If there is credible source and evidence supporting a re-wrote, it becomes imperative to do so to correct the prevailing facts.
Interesting! I especially like the second stanza.I’m also into the idea that my enjoyment of books, libraries and book shops might be due to the search for oneself within them.
Awesome write Björn 👏
I think we always project ourselves into the books
first of all, what a gorgeous photo shot. What a lovely place you call home. And the poem gorgeous too. Rewrite the past? Hmm. But with the lessons of history we have the tools to work the present. Thanks for sharing your reflections.
The past is always rewritten…. the moment a person dies his or hers history is being rewritten… that is why we need historians who go back to find the faults.
Great verse, reflecting on how our past constantly shapes how we view the world, and when it conflicts with who we want to believe we are or how we think things should be, there’s a temptation to reshape it 🙌
Of course there is a risk, and I think it happens as we speak
So very true
history books– written by man (most likely makes it opinion). even a photo can’t be trusted these days.
lovely walk you got going on there Bjorn!
Thank you… yes it is impossible to trust anything
Love the play on past and present and who better than the aged librarian to reflect on the present day world.
When in doubt bring in the librarian
Absolutely!
There’s so much depth to your poem, Bjorn. The line that got my attention was:
‘history will more reflect
the date of publication than
when it really happened.’ – very interesting!
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