.
Don’t let the bridge burn,
I’ll bring silver pails
of water to dowse it
drawn from the whirlpool
of tears far below.
I will roll heavy boulders
up from the valley
to shore up the sides,
then pull old elm logs
from the forest around us
and tie them together
with ribbons and lace.
I’ll pound in the nails
with my bare fists
then toss you a rope
from the opposite side.
.
I would carry you.
.
Don’t burn our bridge,
the chasm is deep,
our words wash away
in the undertow
and we must get them across.
.
© 2014 Betty Hayes Albright
Seasonings 
Nice twist on the “don’t burn your bridges” theme.
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Thank you, Charlie!
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I love this unusual approach to a perennial situation. Very effective. (The poem anyway. And good luck with the other.)
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Thanks muchly, Ben. 🙂
There are 2 levels to this “other” as you probably surmised. It’s first and foremost very personal – a love poem to a particular person. But it can also be read (as most will) a general plea for free speech, and for communication between family, friends, cultures, nations, worlds….)
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I absolutely love this……..my favorite line ‘I would carry you’. ❤
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Thank you very much! 🙂
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I really like that image of getting words across a chasm with a perilous undertow….it takes the poem from the particular to the universal…..
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Cynthia, glad you saw it that way – from the particular (a personal love poem) – to the universal. I always appreciate your insight!
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I love this Betty. There is skill in making a poem universal from something personal and you have mad it work so well here!!
I do struggle with this sometimes, trying to make my poems more universal.
Love and hugs xx
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Thank you, Christine!
I think you do VERY well making your poems universal. In fact it probably goes without saying that most poetry comes from personal experience, feelings, etc. – and then through the magic of words, metaphor, and analogy the reader is able to apply it to their own life, to humanity, and to the universe. I LOVE your poetry, as I can always identify with it – not just personally, but always as a greater theme on life, Life, and beyond. 🙂
Hope the weather picks up there – wishing you some warm sunshine soon!
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You often manage the Robert Frost trick, Betty, where the poem seems simple on the outside, but contains upon reflection a different, deeper meaning. Ah, if only there was more communication on both the personal and universal level, perhaps…
But the truth is that communication is difficult and tricky, isn’t it?, on both the inside and outside.
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Thank you Thomas – it’s great to “see” you here, and always a delight hearing from you. Glad you’re back!!
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