I AM an abandoned bridge
I SEE teenagers approaching on their skateboards with bags full of cans clinking together
I HEAR them screeching to a stop and start to shake the familiar cans vigorously
I FEEL the cool paint tickling my walls as it is sprayed on me
I AM a hurt, beat up bridge that does not want to see death’s door

I DREAM that the city will clean me up and build a freeway that will send cars flowing free as birds over me
I WORRY that the people of the city will not care about me
I WANT to see the light at the end of the tunnel
I HOPE that the people of the city will not be as busy as bees
I AM a hurt, beat up bridge that sees no hope

I UNDERSTAND that I might look like the Old Bay Bridge on the outside
I PRETEND that I am the king of all bridges, the Golden Gate Bridge, for which I feel inside
I FEEL ANGRY when I am looked down upon and laughed at just for being me
I HURT when all the bad memories come rushing through my head, like a meteor speeding through space
I AM a hurt, beat up bridge that wants to see the light at the end of the tunnel