Bridge Of Life (And Lifeless) Poem by Padmanabhan Ananth

An experience it was, very exhilarating

Over this suspended span, speeding

With my school pal in his luxury sedan

Connecting counties San Fran and Marin



Wonder bridge over Golden Gate strait

That connects the Bay to the Pacific might

Over a mile long of bright orange vermillion

Created last mid-thirties, costing many million



A small toll took us to Marin Headlands

For panoramic views of the city's towers

From a tower another day, I watched the bridge

Rising proud and mighty through dense fog



“High overhead its lights shall gleam,

Far, far below life’s restless stream.”

Penned verses Joe Strauss, the chief engineer

She has motivated many poets, far and near



But this bridge that connects the county

I hear, is link of death for unfortunate many.

Thousands since she was first opened

Have jumped into death-waters to life's end!



But can anyone fault her for their fall?

Akin to innocent kitchen knife that can also kill,

Can this colossal, beautiful bridge be blamed?

No, a 'Death Bridge' she can never be claimed! bRI