“Bridge of Sighs” by John Singer Sargent
stones suspended in air
final passage for
secular sinners
in quail of departing
from all that is beautiful
sounding their last sobbing
breaths of contrition
their last rueful look at
pained visions of lives
barely dreamed
never lived
too late for a rectitude
leaving vain squander
en route to an airless
and deathless ignominy
bleak are the endings
imagined while crossing
from palace to prison
indifference expressed
by the masonry sentinels
mascaron faces who
watch life and love
pass beneath the despair
upon waters the doge
has commanded to flow
serene lifeblood in
day to day course of
enlightened republic
ingenious canalways
that temper the tides
wash the unsettling sound
of these sighs
out to sea
Poesy plus Polemics 
History and imagagies combined create a painting in words. A gem.
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Exquisite, sir 🙂
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thanks kindly
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That was amazing writing and added with the scenery at the beginning of the poem … It sucked me in.
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I appreciate that most sincerely – thanks, beckie
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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I remember viewing that bridge and feeling the desperation of the prisoners as they took a last look at the canal. You have captured that feeling beautifully.
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many thanks, professor
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Excellent poem, evocative title. As the prof said, beautifully captured, sir.
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many thanks, my friend
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There is a beautiful flow to this. To me the name Bridge of Sighs and the words of your poem treat gently the loss of lives – rather a mournful cry than a scream of agony..
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the flow must have come from the waters of Venice remembered
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I’m speechless here….WOW….
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I appreciate that more than you know
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I kinda do know 🙂
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