Friday, September 19, 2008

Bridge, Night

It is rare to be alone on the Colorado Street Bridge.
To be on it alone at night is temptation
to leave your shoes
to leave the car
to walk.
Where would you go?
Would you slip tiptoe through neighborhoods west or east, spy on the wealthy, risk dobermans and insecurity guards?
Or would you slink down damp embankment moss into the dark underneath?
Trolls might be real.

A car comes. So. Temptation's moment passes. You exhale and accelerate.

24 comments:

Saretta said...

Don't think I'd get out my car at all on a bridge in Pasadena at night...but I'm just a big fraidy cat!

Anonymous said...

Nice shot! (but the temptation doesn't pass for all of us.)

Knoxville Girl said...

Light streaks, bridge speaks, thoughts racing as fast as this photo: what to do, what to do?
Petrea, sorry I missed out on Zen Monday, but I'm glad I caught you when photo and prose poems meet. I like your style, woman.

Laurie Allee said...

Trolls might be real.

Indeed!!!

Very cool impressionist picture/poem today, Miss P. TOgether with your houses photo and poem the other day I think we have the beginning of a series...

Anonymous said...

"insecurity guards" - I like that!

I also liked your phrase "exhale and accelerate." I know that feeling.

Vanda said...

That is a good looking bridge, I oft admired it. When was it built?

Btw Petra, I sent you an email.

USelaine said...

Wonderous thoughts. 8^) Every moment is different.

Anonymous said...

Ah, the lure of the bridge!

I'd happily get out of my car (tho it is illegal to park on said bridge). Take off my shoes and walk. At least, above ground. Not so sure I would want to risk the trolls below it.

Exhale and accelerate---absolutely and I have done it many a time with the lights whizzing by.

EXCELLENT shot and commentary!

Pat said...

Well-said and well photographed...a bit scary, but I like it!!

Katie said...

I'd run really fast to get across if I was alone! Cool photo. I'm glad there's free wi-fi in Chicago so I can see your photo!

Kris McCracken said...

Google "Brian Peppers" and you'll see a real life troll!

Nice photo.

Jules said...

Hi petrea - well not sure whether I'd get out either - I think I would just head on home. strolling around in the dark is a bit dicey these days - but what a shame - it could be quite an adventure!!!!

T Thompson said...

"Trolls might be real."

Yes we are, but Bob said it's ok with him if you wanna hand out...

(Feeling goofy tonight)

Meanwhile, back on topic...

I like the prose, as well as the reference to "insecurity guards"

Petrea Burchard said...

Hi Saretta! I might do it if I had some with me like Altadenahiker, who is intrepid.

Come by anytime, KG, I'm glad to have you. You know I'm not exactly the best at getting around the blogosphere on a regular basis myself.

Thank you, Laurie. The photo seemed to dictate it.

Thanks to you, too, Susan.

Hi Vanda, the Colorado Street Bridge was built in 1913. Sorry, I'm just beginning to get to this week's email! I'll find it and write to you tonight.

Elaine, I read a play today where one character asks a second character a question. The question touches off a memory for the second character, who enacts a whole scene with a third character before coming back to answer the first character's question. For the first character, though, it's only a moment. (Don't know if that makes sense...)

Glad you like it, Trish. And hey, we can park in the neighborhood at the east end of the bridge and take it from there.

Yes, a bit scary, Bibi. Maybe it's that potential for abandon? I'm not sure.

Katie, I know just where you were sitting at O'Hare! And right now you're probably above the ocean. Safe flight, and have a fabulous time in Paris!

Well Kris, I don't know if that's horrible or sad or both. Not what a person wants to be famous for, eh?

That's the thing, isn't it, Jules? What a thrill it would be, but one tells one's self the adventure's not worth it if the danger's real.

Which brings us to Ted. Hmm. I'm keeping my insecurity guards with me, is all I'm sayin'.

John Sandel said...

So. Cool.

b.c. said...

that's a really nice street scene, good stuff

Ms M said...

Love the photo, your poem, and the mood...
I'd want to explore, but it'd have to be quick to catch that "alone moment" (and before the trolls awaken below)

Kris McCracken said...

I think that it is both. It must be a shocking life.

Dina said...

Brave thoughts.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, all. So nice to see you.

Yah, brave thoughts. But only thoughts, Dina. I'm a chicken. Which is okay.

USelaine said...

Well, I get what you mean about the play characters' exchange. Brave people do plays.

Petrea Burchard said...

usE: :)

T Thompson said...

That made me chuckle... ^_^ (Oh and it was supposed to be HANG out, not hand out... Nothing like screwing up the punchline)

Petrea Burchard said...

Ted, we can hang out with the security guards.