4) Sonnet Of The Interstate Bridge Poem by Otradom Pelogo

A few yards away was The Steel Bridge, which I walked across several times; sort of a ritual when I see a bridge that I can cross; I called Portland the land of bridges since there were so many. The Interstate Bridge was also quite amazing, as beautiful and unique as those were in California or New York. The Interstate Bridge, the bridge that links Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington over the Columbia River as well as every other state in the union; metaphorically speaking. The name at first sounded simple, but the more I thought about it, it perfectly described what I wanted to write about. Usually the name interstate is only associated with a highway rather than an adjective describing a relationship along with the word bridge that also describes that something has been linked.


I

The day that two hands reached out to take
to share that which was needed by both
Approved by those from coast to coast and the Golden Gate
Built with the same old ingredients like love, loyalty, and a simple oath

Vancouver and its' children with the first vow of diplomacy
Portland, with a promise to supply the rest
The paragon of teamwork in a perfect democracy
Where the world only moves when they give their best

Bridges cross assembly lines with bits of knowledge to tell
Because the world is known by the things we love to do
Perfectly captured by those like Packard Bell and Dell
And placed with those things we hold dear and true

The Columbia is there to hold the great state of Oregon
With the majestic beauty of the lovely state of Washington


II

Birds bring a cool breeze before brooding at the airport
Whether from Texas, Japan, Korea or Russia
The news gets better with each report
From the palace of Iraq to the capitol of America

The spirits speak from the reservations to the Rose Garden
As we're reassured by the next person when lost or confused
Giving respect, love and even a pardon
For helping others keeps us enlightened and amused

The name Battle Ground in 98 means history and romance
With healing, friendship and a common goal
It's proven to work when giving the future a chance
To touch the mind as well as soul

The passion of Mt St. Helen to Mt. Hood's ice capped ridge
All are held together by the Sonnet of the Interstate Bridge


III

In 1824 George Vancouver built a fort
To build what we now call the great Northwest
Portland built the Steele Bridge over the port
So there would be hope when looking in the past

Children are regaled by the presents of today
The youth by those which are promised tomorrow
Adults work to secure our world; work without pay
The wise have made a trek with more joy than sorrow


IV

The Interstate Bridge is crossed from sunrise to dark
By people from more places crossed by Louis and Clark

The love I wished for, I found in a million pretty faces
Like the faith in others I looked for was found in hope
The freedom searched for was found in many new places
Along with dreams that pulled me forward like a rope

These things I believed in before leaving home
But had to walk two thousand miles to secure
For myself and others whose spirit request they roam
As they vow to slowdown, move faster; while trying to endure

There is no reason or desire to go back and re-live the past
With all that I've learned and desire to do
The hunger to go forward is all I hope will last
The thirst to do more and to keep more virtue

All of the pieces are here that we need to grow
From the Sonnet of the Interstate Bridge to the Alamo


V

Even in the age of technology
Some things simply remain the same
Like homelessness in sociology
Or The Interstate Bridge as the perfect name

It's those simple truths that will bring me
Back to America's most beautiful West
Whether duty, charity, or a treat
Some travel to see America's liberty
Some for its aesthetic philanthropy