poetry jam
the spans finally joined up
but that is as far as it goes
ne'er the twain shall meet
chalk and cheese and
that suits everyone fine
some are bankrupting themselves
to get to the other side
others would only cross under sufferance
we look different
we sound different
we are different
one side
represents colour and movement
kikes tykes and dykes
the other
a tree studded dormitory
the bastion of anglicanism
and all thing conservative
live and let live
Any place with a river will have those different sides with its different values.. and the cost of crossing the bridge can be tremendous in many ways..
ReplyDeleteEast of the Yarra. Yeah, I agree with Björn.
ReplyDeleteits is true for my city as well in Delhi one side of River Yamuna is rich and flamboyant yet the other side undeveloped almost rural!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting observation. Hopefully sometimes fate intervenes and blurs the limits between the two worlds. Love the quote at the end.
ReplyDeleteha...yes it's a ripper!
Deleteit is funny for me that often those that are most religeous are also the most bigoted...hateful people....and most unaccepting of others...
ReplyDeleteBecause "religious" is not the same as "Christian".
DeleteWhat a bigoted comment about religious people!
Deletesadly, that's been my experience too. the issue is that there's a huge difference between "religion" and "faith". "Religion" is the organized, prescribed, and enforced pattern of behavior and speech accompanying a belief system. Key term, "system". "Faith" is a person's belief and individual relationship with their God. So ... there's a solid reason why "religious" people can be the most bigoted and hateful. Lock-step and follow orders. But that's my two cents' worth anyway.
DeleteI've often heard the expression 'other side of the tracks' so maybe we also have to add 'other side of the bridge.'
ReplyDeleteWhen I drive over the bridge in one direction...my heart always sinks.
Deletethis is sad...bridge not bridging....
ReplyDeleteThese lines really stand out for me:
ReplyDeletesome are bankrupting themselves
to get to the other side
others would only cross under sufferance
When bridges became commonplace, they upset many applecarts!
ReplyDeleteyes, certainly bridges are crossed, yet definitely under various circumstances; a very serious write
ReplyDeletemuch love..
I'd happily stay on the undeveloped side of the river - Anglicanism or not. Amidst the tranquillity, there's plenty of colour and movement in traditional ways of life.
ReplyDeleteYes...watching the goldfish going round and round in its bowl:)
DeleteNow you know poor 'Fish' has died and gone to goldfish heaven. Nowadays, I watch the cats play.
DeleteToo much excitement like this can be dangerous for a man of your age!
DeleteBridges are built for traffic going in two directions, back and forth, in harmony ... at least that would be the ideal.
ReplyDeleteIf only all bridges brought people together. Nice use of the prompt.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent poem. Sad when we spend all this money and still fail to connect...love your quote about dancing, hadn't seen that before!
ReplyDeleteVery good.
ReplyDeleteGreat poem!
ReplyDeleteHere in the USA, the two-party political system is our river. And it feels like "never the twain shall meet".
A straight-to-the-matter articulation of the differences that bridges can only bridge so far. An excellent take on Poetry Jam's prompt.
ReplyDeleteAwesome one! It shows that bridges aren't always a link between people, but sometimes they're a great divide... I liked your poem a lot!
ReplyDelete