Building Bridges
We had opposite perspectives,
bleeding a river between us.
The other side too far to hear,
too far to hear the need
to be received,
to be recognized.
Crashing waves attacked the river quay,
forming a wall of water
born of rejection,
born of the need to be right,
to fight in this age of rage
with nothing to gain,
to claim superiority,
to brand the other inferior.
Silence became audible and awful,
the emptiness heavy.
I won the war, but
lost connection,
lost your affection.
Then the wall came down,
and I learned to build a bridge
over the stream of separation.
I walked across,
explored the other side,
learned about you,
saw the light in your eyes
that had always seen the darkness.
I painstakingly moved
some rocks,
added some of yours,
nestled comfortably
into the new landscape.
And even when I crossed
back to my side,
we had become closer.
Marja, i wish everyone, and especially world leaders, would look at those with whom they differ with this willingness to hear each other's reality. This is a wise and wonderful poem.
ReplyDeleteOh, that need to be right is where all problems stem. As Dr Phil once said, you want to be right or happy? A question I always ponder, when the ego threatens to undermine the bridge. Brilliant poem, Marja!
ReplyDeleteThat wall of water needs to be bridged in every sphere of our life. This is so beautifully written. Love every imagery here.
ReplyDelete“I won the war but lost the connection … “ : Most people are by nature bridge builders I think but the small percentage who aren’t end up with too much power in unfortunate cases. It's the old game of divide and conquer.
ReplyDeleteI feel so lucky living in a country like Australia that is trying hard to accept everyone as worthy as any other citizen. Our country is sucessful because of an immigration policy from many years back. Even I am an immigrant! However we are not perfect as we only accepted native people as citizens in the 1960's and are currently quite selective on who is granted citizenship today. We do however mix quite well which seems to be our fashion in giving everyone a fair go...but sadly not perfect...yet!
ReplyDeleteThis is incredibly deep and powerful, Marja!❤️ Especially love; "I walked across and explored the other side I learned about you learned to see the the light in your eyes."
ReplyDeleteA mighty fina allegory. I was glad the speaker crossed back having learned. But so far, she has done all the work and now must wait to see if--in some small part--it can be reciprocated.
ReplyDeleteFor every bridge builder there seems to be dozens of people who just want to sow chaos. Great writing!
ReplyDeleteGreat piece.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
This is so, beautiful, raw, and real~
ReplyDeleteBravo, for going there-it is so, touching and as we should live!
We should all try to see other people's light, not just their shadows~
Hi Marja - such a brilliant thought provoking poem ... oh why can we all not see life like this; as Ella mentions, and as you mention ... I learned about you - and yes we can see and share life with our differences - they (mostly) enhance our enjoyment of life. Such a good poem - beautiful words ... love it - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteMarja,
ReplyDeleteIt is so good when broken relationships between individuals, or indeed countries, can be repaired by a coming together with commonality, or mended hearts. A bridge provides direction for both sides...
Lovely bridge, and as usual, a great poem!
ReplyDeleteA bridge connects, but also separates. It will depend on the two parts/sides whether to be connected or separated. A lot of work has to be done about that.
Always good to travel to the other side of the bridge. Lovely poem, Marja!
ReplyDeleteeven when I crossed
ReplyDeleteback to my side again
We become closer
- that close is wonderful...!!!!
More of us need to build bridges to strangers.
ReplyDeleteOh you are good my friend! What a brilliant poem, a great beginning, middle and I love your ending.
ReplyDeleteI guess for me, the most thought provoking line is "I won the war but lost a connection".
Namaste and big hugs
Peggy xxxx
Well done. Better send this piece to Donald Trump.
ReplyDeleteI only wish more would truly read the words of your poem and the meaning behind them Marja.. So many people now never compromise.. Its MY WAY is right and Your Way is wrong.. No one ever meets in the middle and is prepared to build that bridge to the other side...
ReplyDeleteBoth sides loose, because we then remain Islands!... and if you cannot learn to pick up an oar,or create that link... Sad so sad how people and politicians are today
Much love dear Marja <3