I have traveled this summer vicariously through my friend and fellow Inkling Molly Hogan. She recently went to Seneca Falls with her sisters. She shared her trip on her Facebook page here.
This photo appealed to me for many reasons, the play of metal to shadows, and my curiosity about the placement of bells. When I googled it, there is, of course, a story. The bridge was made famous by “It’s a Wonderful Life”. The bells are placed in honor of lost loved ones.
I started today by trying a triolet form. I came up with a long list of words rhyming with ringing. Thus a failed triolet became this offering.
Echoes of bells
ringing
send my heart
winging
memories of you
lingering
a shadow of love
clingingMargaret Simon, draft
Write a small poem in the comments and kindly respond to others.
Reflections on the Teche 
I never knew about this bit of history in my back yard! Love “Memories of you lingering.” Here’s a short poem:
They are remembered–
voices on a bridge
hear them as you pass
I like the thought of hearing the lost voices in the bells on the bridge. Thanks for writing.
Janice, so much meaning in a few words. I love it. I have a difficult time doing that.
Janice, “They are remembered” on this bridge, and I appreciated thinking about those people as I read your poem.
Shadow walking across the years of my live as Stand in this spot that I remember that the stars seem so bright
This is my home my home sweet homeLike a black and white movie of a town that seems so familiar A town where I laid down my family roots A town full of coal and freight trains An old country stores The church to know and praying This is my country the home of the brave An old time song will never be forgotten
Jessica, Thanks for writing today. I love both verses. Especially “Shadow walking” and how you tied the image to that of a home you know and love.
Jessica, I enjoyed reading your poems, and I like the images (and questions) that come to mind as I read about the “home sweet home” and family roots in your poem. Is Seneca Falls home, or somewhere similar?
a small town it western P>A an hour away from Pittsburgh
Margaret, thank you for sharing the It’s a Wonderful Life story about the bridge. I couldn’t get the movie and this famous bridge out of my mind. “send my heart / winging” is lovely. I like your poem better than if it had been a triolet.
every time
a bell rings
an angel
gets his wings
and a lost
loved one
brings
memories
to soothe
the soul
that’s right
that’s right
Ah, the relief in the repeated words “that’s right.” I feel it like a release of air.
Denise,
I am especially taken with,
a lost/loved one/brings/ memories/ to sooth/ the soul.
The Gate
Lush green vines climb
across, up, and over the
gate, clementine clusters
of flowers droop their heads
as if they are sad. The blooms
are the same shade of
orange as my sister’s ribbon
in her auburn hair. She loves
flowers, she talks to them as
she talks to nature and they
communicate with her. I close
my eyes, I see the blooms
smiling at her, I hear them
whispering in the wind to her.
I must follow.
The gate creaked…
Gail Aldous draft
This just poured out of me. I saw the scene in my head after I looked at your photo.
Margaret,
I am so sorry I wrote my poem on the wrong post. Hopefully, I will be able to post in on the correct post. I love this photo of the bridge and shadow, also.