Summary

The website content presents two interconnected poems by Sydney Duke Richey that reflect on the challenges of overcoming life's hardships and the realization of contentment with one's current situation.

Abstract

The first poem, titled "Poem One," uses the metaphor of a deep chasm with a rickety bridge to represent life's daunting obstacles. It suggests that while crossing such a bridge is dangerous and requires courage, it is possible to find a way across. The second poem, "Poem Two," introduces the idea that sometimes what seems unpleasant can turn out to be a source of growth or happiness. It challenges the reader to consider whether to repair a bridge (symbolizing a difficult situation) or to metaphorically tear it down and appreciate what they have on their side of the chasm. The author, Sydney Duke Richey, is described as a writer who draws from personal experiences, and she resides in the Pacific Northwest with her family.

Opinions

The author conveys that life's difficulties are akin to an abyss with a precarious bridge, emphasizing the need for courage and the existence of a path forward despite obstacles.
There is an underlying message of hope and resilience, suggesting that challenges can be overcome and that persistence is key.
The second poem introduces a shift in perspective, questioning the necessity of facing every challenge head-on and considering the option of finding happiness without altering one's circumstances.
The idea that sometimes the best action is inaction or acceptance is presented as a valid choice, contrasting with the initial call to action in the first poem.
The author implies that happiness can be found in the present moment and that one should not overlook the value of their current situation.
Sydney Duke Richey's work is characterized as heartfelt and derived from everyday life, indicating her writing is deeply personal and reflective of her experiences.

Poetry

Life Sucks Sometimes

A Tale of Two Poems

Poem One

a chasm, rift canyon, crevasse fissure, gorge

the abyss

whatever you call it at times it seems so deep there’s no way across

but there is a way across there is always a way

along the chasm’s edge a path leads to a bridge a rickety bridge spanning from rim to rim

it’s the only way across

the path is treacherous it takes effort and focus to follow it

then when you finally get to the bridge you face another decision

should you cross it?

should you trust the rickety bridge to hold steady under your weight?

should you cross with a trusting heart?

should you summon your courage before the bridge weakens from disrepair?

should you cross it before it’s unpassable?

it’s never too late

until it is

Poem Two

life sucks sometimes you know

but there are times when the thing you thought really sucked turns out to not suck at all

like that deep canyon you’ve been avoiding and the rickety bridge stretching across it

the canyon sucks and the bridge sucks

that bridge is scary and needs to be fixed but it would take work on both ends of the bridge to make it passable

on this side of the bridge there’s a faded “to do” list tacked onto a post

1-repair the bridge 2-be sure it’s sturdy 3-cross the bridge

is there a to-do list on the other side, too?

will someone over there meet you half-way?

will they work together with you on the bridge?

but hold on there’s another option (there’s always another option)

instead of trying to mend the bridge you could just tear that fucker down

tear it right down

rip up the planks untie the ropes and cut the cables

then you could watch each piece tumble down, down down into the abyss

you could step back and look across the chasm and realize that it’s nice right where you are

it’s pretty nice right here on this side of the ravine

your life is on this side and this is the side where you’re happy

because seriously? what you have on this side of the rift is all you need

This started out as one poem about hope. But things change.

Sydney Duke Richey writes from the heart. Inspired by everyday experiences, her poems, haiku and non-fiction come from a slice of her life. Sydney lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband. She has two children and two grandchildren.

Floating

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