the rector street bridge
has been my friend
for 17 years––
transporting me
on sunny days & windy days––
on rainy days & snowy days.
lifting me above
danger––
in my sickness & in my health.
adding vital minutes &
seconds
to my life––
running to the subway––
to work, to church, to school.
& it seemed to be protecting
very many others––
so i asked them
& they said: Yes!
the rector street bridge is
in false competition for its life
with a big, beautiful, expensive,
new bridge––
certainly, the good it does
should continue.
if the blindness of inertia
destroys it––
& any one were harmed––
who would be responsible?
if no one else––
that person would be me.