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Notes About The Poem

A Bridge Has A Name

Visions of a saint near
that bridge has a name.
The suicide frontier
the method's all the same.
a jump into crashing rocks
head first into oblivion.
Leave behind shoes and socks,
and aspire to be heavenly.

Waves wash away red splashes
before the blood can stain,
a church will have its masses
while many choose the rain.

A return to first opened eyes
Purgatory denounces peace to grave
to the suffering in which we wish to die,
back here all the grief & the shame.

absencedeathdepressionfuneralhurtfree verse

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Deb M

Date: 9/16/2025 2:20:00 AM

WOW what a poignant and meaningful write Ryan….suicide is so incredibly sad…..Belated Congratulations on an exceptional poem and POTD! Debx

RGH Poetry
Date: 9/18/2025 1:29:00 AM

Sorry Deb it took me so long to get back to you, just been going through stuff for the last week, I appreciate your feedback.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 9/7/2025 8:18:00 PM

Such a sound great… Seems it’s on suicide… That was my nephew’s fate not in the same way… Congratulations on POTD!

Brandy Nicole

Date: 9/4/2025 7:30:00 PM

I will never understand someone taking their own life. If the world around you is crumbling in, there's always a way out. Light scatters darkness every time. (Place a candle in a dark room). You'll see what I mean. Also, in God's word it doesn't say that you'll have to wait a while to get to Heaven. That's like telling a child they can have a piece of cake because they've been good, but, they have to wait in peace/yet suffer some to get it. Whenever. It's nice to meet you Ryan. Your thoughts are deep and powerful. Congratulations on receiving Poem of the Day. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy

RGH Poetry
Date: 9/5/2025 4:23:00 AM

I think it depends on a number of things, Brandy. Faith is indeed very strong as a deterrence. Having clinical depression, I know too well of that deathly shadow that is always just a few feet away. I have though became much stronger over the weeks as I battled my demons. Always there are times when suicide is the only option. For example, those who choose to jump, rather than to be burnt to death in a high building like 9/11.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 9/4/2025 6:48:00 PM

Congratulations on your POTD win. What a powerful write. Blessings... Enjoy your win....................

Randy Freie

Date: 9/4/2025 3:54:00 PM

Well Little Brother, you have definitely bridged the gap and the frontier is yours! POTD? No Way! POTY!

Tom Woody

Date: 9/4/2025 2:48:00 PM

Hey Ryan good to see you getting a little time in the spotlight. I don't believe in purgatory and suicide is never the answer. Still, even some of God's faithful servants wished to die so their suffering or trials would end

RGH Poetry
Date: 9/4/2025 3:05:00 PM

Yes, it's an old ritual that the more you suffer, the closer in his presence, you will become. Lots of nuns especially during the centuries have flogged themselves and walked in shoes containing glass. It's a strange old world, this one .. Thank-you Tom. The spotlight no longer means anything to me but I like to create awareness with themes I write about. I may be taboo sometimes but I try my best to do it without causing triggering harm.

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 9/4/2025 2:04:00 PM

Congratulations Ryan on your POTD, it's a fine piece with good rhyme and flow. I see you mention purgatory but scriptures are clear there will be no such thing and only in Jesus can we receive a sure pathway to heaven. Blessings,Gordon ??

Tom Woody
Date: 9/4/2025 2:46:00 PM

"Gordy Gordy uncle Gordy stripes look good on you..."

Riley Emerson

Date: 9/4/2025 11:38:00 AM

Congratulations on your POTD! I like how your poem is succinct but says so much. Keep writing!

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 9/4/2025 10:35:00 AM

Hello Ryan, Congrats on POTD! You confront one of the most difficult subjects with unflinching honesty. The way you juxtapose sacred and profane imagery, saints and suicide, churches and despair, creates this haunting tension that runs throughout the piece. Being a counselor, I see the circular nature of pain and the return to where it all began. Blessings, Ryan, Daniel

RGH Poetry
Date: 9/4/2025 10:49:00 AM

I too would like to be a councillor one day but not in a good place, yet. Let's just say I know all about drug and alcohol incjdents not yet out of it. Thank-you for reading the poem and understanding it.

Ann Peck

Date: 9/4/2025 9:06:00 AM

Please take care, dear poet. The sun will break through.

RGH Poetry
Date: 9/4/2025 9:08:00 AM

Thank you Ann. Ironically, I prefer the night as its the day that always brought forward most of my terrors and such..

I Am Anaya

Date: 9/4/2025 7:51:00 AM

Excellent POTD, congratulations, Ryan! It saddens me to hear you've tried jumping three times. The bridge is not the right answer, I know you know that. I read your latest book blurb "he seeks to capture the essence of being tormented by inner demons, and the ways in which we can find solace and redemption in the face of adversity. Join him on a journey of self-discovery and introspection as he grapples with the ultimate questions of existence. I'm delighted for you! xhugs__I Am Anaya

I Am Anaya
Date: 9/4/2025 8:17:00 AM

I'm relieved to hear your third book is not about death but living again. :)

RGH Poetry
Date: 9/4/2025 7:56:00 AM

Thank-you so much so much, I'll follow all the poets here once the upgrades are done. I keep getting error messages for now

Line Gauthier

Date: 9/4/2025 6:23:00 AM

Such an emotional poem ~ so sad that people are so troubled. Beautifully crafted poem.

RGH Poetry
Date: 9/4/2025 6:36:00 AM

Thank-you so much! It's an actual bridge where 18 people in just one small town over decades have taken their lifes'. I myself in the past have tried 3 times but now very resilient to the knocks

Valsa George

Date: 9/4/2025 6:02:00 AM

Now suicide is on the rise. Unfortunately, for small reasons, people think of ending their lives. But while trying for an escape, they never think that they leave so much of grief to their dear ones. Your poem is so heart wrenching. Congratulations, dear friend on your POTD.

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 9/4/2025 4:10:00 AM

Chemical (hormone) imbalance is said to be the cause of suicidal tendency. Unfortunately we now lead isolated lives with friends becoming an alien concept. Suicide is never the answer and from the spiritual perspective, taking our true being to be spirit having a human experience, we will have to return in another new life to face the challenges we ran away from. A dark poem, well penned though, congratulations on POTD, Ryan

RGH Poetry
Date: 9/4/2025 4:28:00 AM

Thank-you. Yes, I do believe in purgatory too and we can't enter heaven until we prove ourselves. Suicide will send us back to the start. Change is the answer, rising above those challenges trying to suffocate us.