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Image for the poem We’ll Cross That Bridge When We Build It

We’ll Cross That Bridge When We Build It

how do we cross    
a burned-out bridge      
that’s been washed away      
from the middle?      
     
so much water flows beneath,      
my feet are wet      
so much blood stains the river,      
my hands are red      
     
the stacks of wood      
stored on both sides      
would have made      
quick work of small repairs;      
but afraid of giving      
too much of ourselves,      
we refused to share ~      
fiercely protecting our pieces      
until we fractured,     
becoming the sharp splinters      
we’re still sleeping on,      
the tinder by which      
connection burned to ash      
     
the fall came after,      
as promised;      
the moment we failed      
to put pride in its place,      
rot crawled deep      
into the foundation,      
and now there’s no fixing      
the mess we’ve made      
     
it’s time to take a leap of faith,      
make a swim for solid ground      
before this whole thing    
gives way,      
dragging us under      
the flood of devastation      
to drown in our own grief      
     
grab my hand, hold tight      
I won’t let go, I promise      
I’ll pull you safely to shore;      
there’s a peaceful stream      
just around the bend,      
where the current      
is sure and steady;      
we can span this distance      
far from the old wreckage,      
building fresh passage      
from here to there      
     
each of us surrendering      
one plank and one nail      
at a time      
 
Author's Note
Written for the Water Under The Bridge Comp.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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