Once upon a time,
I used to cross a bridge across
the railway tracks.
People from all walks of life
Crossed it to get somewhere, I think.
Lovers hatched conspiracies,
Friends met and laughed,
Some times, I think, the
Whole world crossed this bridge.
Across space and time,
It weathered,
Cracked and swung.
On the bridge.
A drunkard
Shouts at his wife.
A mother beats her child
On his way from his maddening school.
Another woman
Slaps a lecher.
I see this everyday.
Like a live motion picture.
This bridge was my home.
Today, the bridge fell down.
Taking down all:
The drunkard, the mother,
And the kid on his way back from school.
All, except me.
Why did the bridge fall down?
Why in the middle of the day?
Why not in the dead of the night?
Anyways, where is the nearest bridge?
My next home?
Dated: 13.05.2004.
- Abhilash Warrier.
5 comments:
Wow! I cant fathom what that bridge actually symbolises. but anyway a great poem, simple and deep!!
Glad to have you back and sure you aren't going to complain anymore about not "reading" your blogs!
Hey revathi,
thanks... this was a poem written long time back...
nice to see you back on the blog...
Revathi,
The bridge symbolises just a huge railway bridge that a vagabond beggar had made his home for years.
Next few verses depict what he has seen happening on the bridge (which truly is his home; though a makeshift home it is).
Finally, one day due to negligence, the bridge falls down... and takes down all who crossed it at that time. They all die because the bridge fell down during the day when people were crossing it. All, except the beggar die.
Now, the beggar asks questions and finally, in true Mumbaikar attitude, says where is the next bridge? My next home?
I hope that answers your question.
Absolutely! Thanx.
"Where is the nearest bridge" or should it be where is the next bridge, the final bridge, in each of our respective lives? A very fundamental question... and a very thought provoking question.
We normally cross the bridge when we get to it. To make the crossing of the ocean of samsara easier, would be the task at hand.
Interestingly u wrote that the beggar asks the question. In life, are we all not beggars in one way or another, always wanting.
I believe the second we change from 'wanting' to 'giving', we would reach the one and final bridge in our lives to cross over to the final destination --> the ultimate goal.
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