Author Information
(*12) With Emily on the Bridge
Folder:
Emily With Emily on the Bridge (4)
Anger and loss reflect,
In his eyes.
It’s a long hard betrayal
Waiting for someone else’s demise.
His touch the only respite,
From the fears that shape
Her nights.
Now unconfident and shaken,
It barley brushes her skin.
Her shrewd self directed hate,
Is mirrored in his eyes.
A sigh of relief escapes,
And hands held high,
She ends the long years,
Of self controlled demise.
He turns slowly
His eyes still on the ripple,
Disrupting the glass calm sea.
When nothing surfaces,
He finally has his peace
This is definitely the eeriest of the Rachel poems, and I am not sure I can actually describe its effect. This is not a negative statement against the poem. Rather, the poem is so visceral and raw, that I am not sure I know how to read it correctly. The restraint of the narrative voice is admirable. In a lesser poet's writing, the narrative would have sounded shrill, or patronizing. In Rae's talented words, it is so sparse as to add to (and not detract from) the eerie effect of the poem. I sincerely hope that this poem is not, in any way, conclusive.
Starward