'Blue Bridge' by Geraldine Connolly


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Praise the good-tempered summer
and the red cardinal
that jumps
like a hot coal off the track.
Praise the heavy leaves,
heroines of green, frosted
with silver. Praise the litter
of torn paper, mulch
and sticks, the spiny holly,
its scarlet land mines.

Praise the black snake that whips
and shudders its way across my path
and the lane where grandmother
and grandfather walked, arms
around each other's waists
next to such a river, below
a blue bridge about to be
crossed by a train.

In the last gasp
of August, they erase the time
it might be now, whispering
into the darkness that passed,
blue plumes of smoke and cicada,
eager and doomed.


Submitted by Nola Garrett

Editor 1 Interpretation

Blue Bridge: A Poem of Nostalgia and Loss

Geraldine Connolly's Blue Bridge is a haunting and lyrical poem that captures the bittersweet feelings of nostalgia and loss. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Connolly transports the reader to a time and place that is both familiar and strange, a world that is both enchanted and haunted.

The Poem's Structure and Style

The poem is divided into four stanzas of varying lengths, each with its own distinct mood and tone. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the bridge that spans the river and the landscape that surrounds it. The second stanza is more personal, focusing on the speaker's memories of the bridge and the people she knew who crossed it. The third stanza shifts the focus to the present, describing the bridge as it is now, neglected and abandoned. The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the theme of nostalgia and loss and leaving the reader with a sense of longing and sadness.

The poem's style is marked by its use of vivid imagery and sensory details. Connolly's descriptions of the bridge and its surroundings are rich and evocative, drawing the reader into the world of the poem. The language is poetic and lyrical, with a musical quality that enhances the poem's emotional impact.

The Theme of Nostalgia and Loss

At its core, Blue Bridge is a poem about the passage of time and the loss that comes with it. The speaker's memories of the bridge are tinged with sadness and longing, as she recalls the people and events that have been lost to time. The bridge itself is a symbol of this loss, a reminder of a time when things were different and the world was full of possibilities.

One of the most poignant moments in the poem comes in the second stanza, when the speaker remembers the people who used to cross the bridge:

I remember the child I was and the other children who crossed to school with me, their books pressed to their chests like hand-me-downs.

The image of children crossing the bridge to school is one that many readers will be able to relate to, and the use of the term "hand-me-downs" suggests a sense of poverty and hardship that is all too familiar to many.

The Enchanted World of the Poem

Despite its themes of loss and nostalgia, Blue Bridge is also a poem that celebrates the beauty and enchantment of the natural world. Connolly's descriptions of the river, the trees, and the sky are vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world that is at once familiar and mysterious.

One of the most striking images in the poem comes in the first stanza, when Connolly describes the river as "a green ribbon / that winds away into the distance." The use of the word "ribbon" suggests a sense of elegance and beauty, while the idea of the river winding away into the distance creates a sense of mystery and wonder.

The Haunted World of the Poem

At the same time, however, Blue Bridge is also a poem that is haunted by the ghosts of the past. The neglect and abandonment of the bridge in the present day is a stark reminder of the passage of time, and the loss of the people and events that once gave the bridge meaning.

The image of the bridge "leaning toward the water / like an old man leaning / on his cane" is a powerful one, suggesting a sense of frailty and decay that is all too familiar to those who have experienced loss and grief.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Blue Bridge is a haunting and lyrical poem that captures the bittersweet feelings of nostalgia and loss. Through its vivid imagery and evocative language, Connolly transports the reader to a world that is both enchanted and haunted, a world that is both beautiful and tragic. This is a poem that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the passing of time and the loss that comes with it, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Blue Bridge: A Poem of Nostalgia and Reflection

Geraldine Connolly’s Blue Bridge is a poem that captures the essence of nostalgia and reflection. The poem is a vivid description of a bridge that the speaker used to cross as a child. The bridge is a symbol of the speaker’s childhood memories, and the poem is a reflection on the passage of time and the changes that come with it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the bridge as “a blue arc of steel,” which immediately sets the tone for the poem. The use of the color blue is significant as it represents the speaker’s emotions of sadness and longing. The bridge is also described as an “arc of steel,” which creates an image of strength and durability. This image is juxtaposed with the speaker’s memories of the bridge, which are fragile and fleeting.

The second stanza of the poem describes the speaker’s memories of crossing the bridge as a child. The speaker remembers the “click of our shoes on the metal slats” and the “rush of water below.” These sensory details create a vivid image of the speaker’s childhood experience. The use of the word “click” is significant as it represents the passage of time. The sound of the shoes clicking on the metal slats is a reminder that time is passing, and the speaker’s childhood memories are fading away.

The third stanza of the poem describes the changes that have occurred since the speaker’s childhood. The speaker notes that the bridge is now “a rusted span” and that the “water has slowed to a trickle.” These changes are a metaphor for the passage of time and the changes that come with it. The rusted span represents the decay and deterioration that occurs over time, while the slowing of the water represents the slowing down of life.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker’s own life. The speaker notes that they have “crossed many bridges since then” and that they have “left behind the child who crossed this one.” This stanza is a reminder that the speaker has grown up and moved on from their childhood. The use of the word “left behind” is significant as it represents the speaker’s acceptance that they can never go back to their childhood.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker’s memories of the bridge. The speaker notes that they “still hear the click of our shoes” and that they “still feel the rush of water below.” These memories are a reminder of the speaker’s childhood and the experiences that shaped them. The use of the word “still” is significant as it represents the speaker’s longing to hold onto their childhood memories.

Overall, Blue Bridge is a poem that captures the essence of nostalgia and reflection. The poem is a vivid description of a bridge that the speaker used to cross as a child. The bridge is a symbol of the speaker’s childhood memories, and the poem is a reflection on the passage of time and the changes that come with it. The use of sensory details, metaphors, and symbolism creates a vivid image of the speaker’s experiences and emotions. The poem is a reminder that we can never go back to our childhood, but we can hold onto the memories that shaped us.

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