One Shot Wednesday

The new oldest covered bridge in MA (rebuilt after a fire destroyed the original structure)

This poem was recently published in a slim volume of poetry created for the dedication of a small town park and river access ramp along the river south of the bridge. I often walk down by the river and spend a lot of time in and around this bridge. The original bridge was built in 1854, was added to National Register of Historic Places in 1978, was restored in 1981, burned to the ground in 1994 and was reconstructed in 1999.

Covered Bridge Thoughts

The way the sun paints my walls

in broad strokes

and diagonal slashes,

illuminating initials twined in hearts,

and the mud-plastered swallow’s nest

on the highest rafter—

The way the restless water murmurs

of muskrats and marsh grass

and the far places from which it has fled

as it rushes seaward—

The echo of feet on my rough planks,

and the cavernous, roofed darkness—

Either end brings the traveler into the light again

or out of the rain.

The strength of my trusses

like great arms lifting,

and the grace of my span—

river, wood, and a trust in design

meant to reconcile the gap between

here and there.

I am the bridge.

for One Shot Wednesday #46