Every new beginning clings
to the edge, of a pivotal
moment of potential regret;
for a sorrow that cannot be measured,
but carries in itself a weight,
like the sickly smell of lilies left
to decay on a grave or
mud that sticks on your boots.
We clasp to the past because
there is comfort in the pain;
instead of changing sheets
we endure the stink of the stains.
But the day may come
to clean out the house
sweeping the floors and
let this stale air be replaced
with a brightness — breezed
from the promise of spring.
For Melissa’s prompt on pivot at dVerse I rewrote a poem I first wrote back in 2018, I hope it fits the prompt.
November 11, 2025
Björn Rudbergs writings 
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Why we cling to the past, its all in the formula called memory
To move on is the challenge
much♡love
The comfort of the present is what guides us.
I love it when the house is clean, fresh sheets, sparkling taps and floors, Björn, but I have two days when I do most of it, to give me time for myself. I know what you mean about the ‘pivotal moment of potential regret’. What a lovely fresh ending!
It is the house and it is all the other garbage I keep.
More promises of spring in this poem.☺️ There comes a time when it serves us to mostly close the door on the past, leaving it slightly ajar lest we forget the lessons it’s taught us.
Maybe we need the cleaning to learn the lessons.
I like your poem of cleaning house. It could have been referring to political situations as well.
There is so much to clean 🙂
Perhaps we need a power washer!! :>)
That is one beautiful poem, Bjorn. Sensory goodness even with the decaying smells, or maybe because of them. Such resonating sentiments in it.
Thank you… there is some beauty in decay I think
You’re welcome, I agree. It’s part of the process.
Your vivid imagery and emotional weight captures the struggle of moving forward while being tethered to the past – beautifully done Björn and I love the van Gough drawing🙌
At some point we need to take a firm stand
🙌
We humans are funny aren’t we. I hear the truth in the first stanza.
This is the part that I am taking with me.
“let this stale air be replaced
with a brightness — breezed”
Keep on keeping on,
Ali
Humans are basically procrastinators.
The past is where we were, but life lies in the future.
On point
Well done, Bjorn. I especially like your middle and final stanzas. It can take courage to do that house cleaning–but worth the risk to hope.
Start anew … we need to that in many ways… (and hopefully before the stink)
I like my comforting pain, along with my clean sheets (every now and then!)
Great write Björn.
Yup… couldn’t agree more.
Spring cleaning is for sure, a pivotal moment of moving forward. Your poem put me in mind of this song, Björn – https://open.spotify.com/track/6fpFlNsm8Kp0DiSdhK7cCz?si=e342178d0fb44d14
Beautifully done. I like the tone and the images that you painted here.
love it. Love it!