A bridge – more than just a way
across a stream. It is the call
of a goldfinch to its mate –
aspen leaves that flirt
with skittish winds. The clatter
of cartwheels...
the smell of new-mown hay
and freshly dug manure.
The dogged thud of hooves –
a maze of dusty coigns
where spiders spin their webs
and bluebirds patch their nests.
How many trysts, made
and broken here...how many
couples kissed in the shelter
of its arches to the sound
of rippling water – dripping
like sundown in their minds?
As impossible to know
as count the motes of dust
that float in shafts of sunlight
filtering through cracks
in the apple-wood trusses.
Some say the bridge is haunted,
but best to keep an open mind;
pretend I never heard the scratch
of pen on paper...the crunch
of tyres on gravel
and fragments of a song –
‘Blue Gardenia’, as it drifted
on the speedwell-scented air
to the throb of fireflies...
Or a hushed “Goodbye,”
and a woman's silent tears.
Comments
skinner_jennifer | June 30, 2011 - 14:06
Hello Tina,
this place somewhere in Madison County,
sounds wonderful and what of that haunted bridge,
I wonder?
Another amazing piece of work.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | June 30, 2011 - 15:08
Hi there, Jenny;-)
The bridge is in fact 'Roseman Bridge', which is in Madison County USA. The bridge was featured in the seventies film, 'Bridges of Madison County' starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, and the poem is but a brief synopsis of the film's story. If you have never seen the film, you may like to track it down. It is well worth seeing, but you need a box of tissues at the end;-)
Pleased you enjoyed.
Tina
skinner_jennifer | June 30, 2011 - 15:20
I shall look out for it Tina, with tissues at the
ready.
Thankyou for letting me know about where the bridge
came from.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | June 30, 2011 - 17:59
Another thing I forgot to mention, Jenny. It is a 'covered bridge', as I understand to stop the surface of the road freezing over in the cold weather. They are a real feature of Madison County, and in the film, Clint Eastwood plays a photographer whose job is was to photograph these rather fascinating bridges. Just thought you might like to know;-)
Tina
Highhat | June 30, 2011 - 19:14
I remember the film Tina and the bridge. It is a piece of history. I think your poem is very beautiful. Rich with images which you are very good at.
;)Pia
Silver Spun Sand | June 30, 2011 - 20:32
You are so right, Pia. Roseman bridge is a piece of history, and the film itself is very special.
Thanks, so very much for your words. Means a lot;-)
Tina
skinner_jennifer | July 1, 2011 - 16:30
Hi Tina,
just thought I'd let you know, I managed to google
pictures of the bridge, they've done an amazing job
on covering it.
Also funnily enough I found John Waynes birth place,
it showed a picture of the house he was born in. I
know this has nothing to do with your poem, but I
just had to tell you.
Now all I have to do, is seek out the film. Again
thankyou for all the information, it really brings
your poem to life.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | July 1, 2011 - 18:53
Hi there, Jenny;-) I'm really pleased you googled the bridge, and also that you found some fascinating information on John Wayne along the way. That's what's so good about investigating things like this. You never know what else you might find.
A little more about the bridge and the film, if you're interested The Roseman Covered Bridge in Madison County, Iowa, USA, was completed in 1883. While as many as 19 covered bridges existed in the county at one time, Roseman is one of five that remain today. Made famous by Robert Waller in the novel and subsequently the 1995 motion picture "The Bridges of Madison County". I hope you're successful in tracking down the film. I know you would enjoy it.
Also, the music from it is really lovely too, and the main theme called 'Doe Eyes', I often pick out on my piano. It is my husband's favourite tune ever;-)
I hope you have a lovely sunny weekend and a peaceful evening.
Tina.
Nathan Bednarek | July 29, 2011 - 15:21
"How many trysts, made
and broken here...how many
couples kissed in the shelter
of its arches to the sound
of rippling water – dripping
like sundown in their minds?"
This is a beautiful stanza! Of course, the whole poem is truly wonderful to read. You never fail to write exactly what seems to be in your heart and you are so generous to be willing to share this with your readers... someone like me ;-)
A gem of a poem. Beautiful. Well done.
Nathan x
Silver Spun Sand | July 29, 2011 - 18:46
I am really glad you found this poem evocative, Nathan. It is one I had been working on for quite a few years, but in the end, it seems to have come right.
Many thanks for your words;-)
Tina xx
skinner_jennifer | August 20, 2011 - 14:08
Hi Tina,
just thought I would let you know, Bridges of
Madison County was on ITV 3 last night, so I've recorded it, when I've watched it, I'll let you
know what I thought. I will be taking a whole
kitchen roll with me, just incase of a lot of
tears.
Really looking forward to watching it.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | August 20, 2011 - 14:45
Hi there, Jenny. As a matter of fact, I noticed it was on sometime this week (each Sunday I go through the TV mag and sort out what I want to record for the week, so I really do hope you enjoy it. Yes, you'll certainly need at least half a roll of kitchen paper by the time it's finished. A real weepie, this one and so very beautiful.
Listen hard for some of the music. Apart from 'Doe Eyes' which is the main theme, that I knock out on piano every once in a while, there are some lovely old songs, like Blue Gardenia and Wonderful Life.
And please, do let me know what you thought of it. Not all our tastes are the same, but I've got a feeling you'll love it;-)
Tina.