Spanning Centuries

My name is Charles Bridge. I was conceived and born in 1357.  I have survived floods and seen many changes, wars and revolution. I live in the centre of Prague. During the day, I am entertained by the musicians and pedlars that attract tourists and citizens whose footsteps wear and smooth my stone on their way between the Old Town and the Castle.  I am visited by birds, who perch on my balustrades and, as it gets late, I have the company of my thirty statues and the moths dancing in the lamp light. Even in the shroud of autumn mists, my nights and early mornings are brightened by Prague Castle lit up against the sky.

spanning centuries
and a river of seasons
stone but not alone

© Kim M. Russell, 2016

Because I can’t find my own photos, I have used images found on www.prague-guide.co.uk and http://www.flickr.com

My response to dVerse Poets Pub Haibun Monday

This week Grace has been thinking about bridges: how one can go from one side of the bridge, cross over to the other side and have a different view of the landscape shimmering with autumn colours. For this haibun challenge, she would like us to write about the bridge from the first person: as a physical object, metaphor or perhaps a person who has been a bridge in our life. As it’s Halloween, we can write about the bridge between life and death.  She also shared some bridge quotes to inspire us. I was taken by the quote from Mehmet Murat ildan: ‘The fate of the bridges is to be lonely; because bridges are to cross not to stay!’ 

33 thoughts on “Spanning Centuries”

  4. Wonderful, Kim; You nailed the Charles Bridge and all it’s companions, night and day. The haiku was perfect for the theme. I felt I was there….this wording “shroud of autumn’ packs a punch.

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    1. Thanks Jane! I’m having to limit time on WordPress for a week or two. I’m trying to keep up to date on dVerse but will be keeping the writing mainly short and sweet.

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  5. What a historical bridge, surviving so many changes, wars and revolution ~ You captured the voice of the bridge with a wonderful setting, the Prague Castle. It would be lovely to see this in my lifetime Kim.

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    1. Thank you, Sanaa! I’ve had to limit poetry and WordPress time to an hour a day due to other commitments. It’s only for a couple of weeks and then I’ll get back to normal. Much love, Kim x

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    1. Thank you, Rosemary! One of my favourite bridges in the world, together with the Bridge of Sighs and Tower Bridge. There’s a bridge full of history in Norwich, too. It’s called Fye Bridge and they used to duck witches from it!

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