deepundergroundpoetry.com
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
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
Published 20th Nov 2020
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.
likes 12
reading list entries 7
comments 16
reads 206
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
Anonymous
20th Nov 2020 1:28pm
Very nice, Luna. Sometimes starting over from scratch when the smoke clears is the best and you captured that perfectly.
Clean up needed in Aisle 2 of Stanza 5! [nonsense] Good luck in the comp!
Clean up needed in Aisle 2 of Stanza 5! [nonsense] Good luck in the comp!
20th Nov 2020 1:59pm
Thank you for the kind words (and for helping me avoid a slip-and-fall on Aisle 2) 😅.
20th Nov 2020 3:25pm
20th Nov 2020 4:19pm
Well paced, sensitively rendered, fluid and organic metaphor. I feel like fitting to the mold of the comp might have been a hindrance, but it's beautiful work.
20th Nov 2020 10:17pm
At first, I was sad that the old bridge collapsed, but the hopeful ending has me sure that you will build another one that is even stronger than the last. Beautiful writing and metaphor, Luna ❤️
20th Nov 2020 10:18pm
20th Nov 2020 10:19pm
20th Nov 2020 11:44pm
Excellent entry, Luna. The metaphorical imagery is just excellent.
Best of luck in the comp!
Best of luck in the comp!
20th Nov 2020 11:46pm
Anonymous
- Edited 24th Dec 2020 7:45am
21st Nov 2020 3:39am
<< post removed >>
21st Nov 2020 7:34am
22nd Nov 2020 2:47am
Dear L,
Exhaling a ton of emotional baggage after reading this poem. From a personal stand point the notion of hanging in there together, even though mostly these days I want to cut and run, isn’t really the best solution. Rebuilding the planks of our busted out bridge is so difficult but no one else would really ever be able to do it. Onward we build, I think this is the most wonderful of metaphorical writes relating to fissured relationships. You have out-stellared yourself. H🌷
Exhaling a ton of emotional baggage after reading this poem. From a personal stand point the notion of hanging in there together, even though mostly these days I want to cut and run, isn’t really the best solution. Rebuilding the planks of our busted out bridge is so difficult but no one else would really ever be able to do it. Onward we build, I think this is the most wonderful of metaphorical writes relating to fissured relationships. You have out-stellared yourself. H🌷
23rd Nov 2020 3:23pm
Dearest Honoria, there are times when cutting the cord is the right thing to do. Sometimes there is just too much for us to overcome, and then sometimes there are bridges that just aren’t worth mending. But, I believe in love, and I’ll root for it every chance I get. If there was ever authentic love between two people, then my belief is that there is still hope 💜.
