The Roman Bridge on the Vidourle
The Roman Bridge on the Vidourle
for Chuck Svitavsky The Mediterranean sun has bleachedthe face of this ancient bridge,
making of stones the weavings
of a blank tapestry.
Where are the gods whose statues
blessed the alcoves of these spandrels?
Where are the lions of war
roaring at the sun and rain?
Where are the lovers seeking darkness?
There are no stories here, no memory.
Those who drowned beneath these arches
are mourned no longer. The murdered
infants have long since drifted away.
Uncounted stargazers are nameless,
like the builders of these arches,
which, mirrored in the water, make egg-shaped ovals
that encircle, but do not elucidate,
the quiet river as it gently passes.
Patrick McGuire____________________________________________________________________
“The Roman Bridge on the Vidourle” was inspired by the bridge of the same name seen below.
The poem was taken from a series that McGuire has written on bridges.
The poem was taken from a series that McGuire has written on bridges.
