Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Gephyrophobia

or Fear of Crossing Bridges

in Three Parts













A poem I wrote back in 2010, reworked in ink for The Tuesday Platform, hosted by Sanaa.


28 comments:

  1. I see the echo as a rainbow and am trying to picture disillusionment's smile

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  2. Your handwriting is utterly gorgeous, Kerry!💞 I particularly like the second part with its remarkable opening line: 'The sulphurous song of a single canary'... wow!💞

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    1. I'm glad you like the canary.. I adore birds and often use them in my poems but sometimes the repetitive calls get inside my head!

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  3. All three are wonderful but the first one snags me and pulls me in. Being too fond of trees, I love this verse.

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    1. I, too, am fond of trees.. they seem to call to me.

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  4. That first line is gorgeous Kerry, and yes your handwriting is truly lovely!

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    1. Thank you, Carrie. I assure you, this is my 'neat work' - my normal handwriting is incomprehensible.

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  5. I love reading poems from earlier years! I especially felt those pebbles rolling over the bare skin of the narrator's soul. These are wonderful, Kerry!

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    1. Not always sure a blended sensory image will work, so thanks for the feedback, Sherry.

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  6. In my mind, am picturing the numerous swaying bridges that I was forces to cross, as my family visited Canada'a national parks, in Alberta and British Colombia, while reading your poem. Anxiety fills me, as I felt like I had felt like I left something behind that never to get back again.

    Now, handwriting is simple elegant, Kerry, until my small cramp style.

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    1. I think their is a certain sense of anxiety imbued in this poem.

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  7. The imagery in each stanza is stunning- especially the last one. The thought of an echo searching and finding- sublime. Wish my handwriting was half as good!

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    1. I work hard to keep the writing neat and straight.. doesn't come naturally.
      I am pleased to know the images appealed to you.

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  8. Wonderful imagery! It being not only in three sections but three different photographs (and hand-written to boot) seems to add mystery.

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    1. That's a cool comment. I hadn't thought of that aspect of the presentation. Thanks.

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  9. I love them all, and in handwriting they get their own magic... the canary made me think of those birds used in mines...

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    1. Ah, yes... singing until they dropped dead!! Great reading.

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  10. Ooh, the imagery and symbolism are spot on -- crossing bridges as a motif works wonderfully in this personal reflection. I'm mostly in awe of the sulphurous song of the canary and the shadow which neglected to follow you home.

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    1. I think this poem began as a dream, hence the surreal atmosphere.. I have trouble sleeping at best of times, and when I do, I dream.. enough to wake me up again.

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  11. especially the last line... the shadow not following the person home is wonderfully stark!

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  12. Your own hand-writing has added a special touch to the poem. The title is innovative and the poem is brilliant. Subtle comparison of nature with our own feelings.
    Each stanza is a bridge to the other :)

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    1. Thank you for your lovely commentary. Gives me added insight into the poem.

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  13. the first , for me as well, is particularly vivid, and I echo the encomia for your penmanship ~

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  14. Nice tryptich on the fear of bridges, of crossing over, of what could be lost there and what will be taken away if we don't risk the crossing. No fear is truly unjustified, a certain knowing is what they lace. Some things are better not known, or crossed over to when it's truly time; train on the voice and the image and trust they will become their own bridge.

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  15. The echo is distraction enough to hide the disillusion one feels that a smile is always forthcoming. Can picture how it can be a little confusing! Great presentation technique Kerry!

    Hank

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  16. The image of the trees, so loaded and so soft under the weight of her anxiety, is eerie. I can imagine feet being swallowed by the rotten wood, trapping life in decay... Effectively scary, especially when one gets the loss in the end.

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Let's talk about it.