Under Windsor Bridge by Adolphe Valette
Entombed in the gritty fog
rolling under Windsor Bridge
the past hangs heavy;
smells of damp basement.
Thinking back in time I remember
how many young men crossed this bridge
north bound to Canada
placing themselves in a sort of purgatory
not knowing if or when they might make a return trip.
Those were dark times in America
even darker for Detroit;
smoldering nightly somewhere in the summer heat.
A big time city eating it's own young.
Cannibalizing it's inner soul.
The decay remains evident today
in areas blackened
that have not and never will come back.
That's what they say.
Funny thing this city,
where peace-nicks
flowed to Canada;
while in the heart of old Detroit
riots raged to burned out store fronts;
skeletons of Detroit made cars smoldered.
Motor city became the capital
of civil-disobedience & of civil-unrest.
Michael A. Wells
Some very accurate history in your post - thanks.
ReplyDeleteLove how you showcased this particular Windsor Bridge ~~ very nice.
ReplyDeleteLove the American twist here, Michael...very nice...
ReplyDeleteLove how you brought the bridge to American history. It certainly doesn't look like Detroit will ever have a revival. Great piece!
ReplyDeleteBoy is this poignant - and bleak. Is there no joy in Detroit now? I heard rumors that there might be...
ReplyDeleteDoesnt leave much hope. Perfectly written for the prompt.
ReplyDeleteHaving been born and raised in Michigan, yes I've seen joy in Detroit....they've always had it and always will, just like any other big city....they all have their ups and downs...along the way. But having moved to Minnesota, I truly understand the meaning of a good-hearted Michigander! Very touching piece!
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