avatarNatalie Frank, Ph.D.

Summary

The poem "The Bridge We Seek" reflects on the metaphorical and literal significance of a bridge that once connected people, highlighting the enduring human spirit and the importance of maintaining relationships despite physical barriers.

Abstract

"The Bridge We Seek" is a poignant poem that reminisces about a bridge which served as a symbol of unity and shared experiences, both in times of celebration and sorrow. The bridge, now gone, left behind only fragments of its former structure, yet the bonds it fostered remain strong. The narrative suggests that although the bridge's physical form has changed, the human connections it facilitated endure, emphasizing resilience and the beauty found in overcoming adversity. The poem also touches on the necessity of adapting communication methods in the face of hardship, using nature as a cover to continue the dialogue.

Opinions

  • The bridge is portrayed as a cherished memory, representing a time when connections were more straightforward and joy was more easily expressed.
  • The poem conveys a sense of loss and nostalgia for the past, while also celebrating the enduring nature of human relationships.
  • The author suggests that the essence of the bridge lives on through the continued efforts to maintain and strengthen human connections, regardless of physical separation.
  • There is an underlying optimism in the poem, which posits that as long as people strive to preserve their bonds, they will survive and flourish despite challenges.
  • The poem implies that the struggle to maintain relationships is a fundamental aspect of the human experience and adds to its beauty.

Original Poem

The Bridge We Seek

Credit: Japanese bridge in Giverny by Claude Monet on Wikimedia Commons (PDM)

Once there was a bridge Parents tell their children It passed from here to there Letting people go where they would It joined us in celebration And in mourning When those we’d loved Passed into the far beyond

Once there was a bridge Where now the new guard passes Before we had to remind ourselves to rejoice When joy bubbled to the surface To spill out like honeyed seltzer water And champagne Words that have no meaning for you And are only memories to us

Once there was a bridge A span that connected us so simply While now we must risk everything Hidden in rushes and reeds To speak a few words In long practiced whistles So to be indistinguishable From the larks which nest near the water’s path

Once there was a bridge Where a small bit of concrete remains And the remnants of a few wooden ties No more than a couple minutes passage And though we can no longer stroll across We still maintain the bonds And they remain significant Though not realized in the same ways

Once there was a bridge And though you cannot see it there It has merely changed its form As long as we find ways To further the links between us No matter which side we call home Then no matter how difficult Or how much we risk We will always live on For this is the human way And it is all the more beautiful for the struggle

Natalie Frank (Taye Carrol) has had work featured in Haunted Waters Press, Weirdbook Magazine, Siren’s Call Publications, Lycan Valley Press and Zero Fiction among others. Her poetry has been featured in several anthologies including Untimely Frost among others. She is Editor for 1-One-Infinity, The Partnered Pen and One Table, One World and is Editor in Chief for Promposity and Mental Gecko. She is also the Managing Editor for Novellas and Serials at LVP Publications.

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