After ‘Wait for Me’

A beautiful poem in response to my artwork ‘Wait for Me’, written by Nikki Kenna

Keeping the Edge

After ‘Wait for Me’ by Louise Bougourd

Like bones in an x-ray
your bridge shimmers
out of the grey-purple,
looms over the ochre-white.

I can see its strong arc,
the cantilever of red iron
which makes space for air
to pass under and bodies over.

This bridge is an open casket
with the key lost. All its treasures
spill from that gaping: raven’s wings,
baby shoes, a coronet of rubies.

Not even centuries of days will see
the souls who cross here coming
back. Only the turquoise light signals
the resurrection. And when that expands

to the edge’s limits, we will come home.