The Bridge

by Derek Morrison

Old Severn Crossing
The old Severn Crossing

I’m the bridge of two rivers
The Severn and Wye
I’m seen from a distance
My two towers in the sky.
I’m the bridge of two countries
England and Wales
Offering a gateway
To many new trails.
I’m the bridge of two pathways
For feet and pedaled wheel
Most know only of one
From England right they peel.

Severn Bridge cycle path
Old Severn Bridge, cycle and walkway

I’m the bridge with two views
Not enjoyed from the M48
But you who can stop
Please do contemplate.

Animated panorama from the Old Severn Bridge viewed down the estuary towards the new Severn Crossing, Severn Beach, and Avonmouth.

 

Old Severn Crossing - reflection
A moment of reflection on the old Severn Crossing viewed up the estuary towards Berkeley. The decommissioned Oldbury Nuclear Power Station is visible in the distance.

I’m the bridge of bygone fission
Easily visible as you ride
Oldbury Nuclear Station
Lying just beneath one side.

Oldbury Nuclear Power Station
Oldbury Nuclear Power Station (decommissioned 2012)

I’m the bridge of destinations
For pedalers to explore
Chepstow as a first stop
Right through Wales’ door.
I’m the bridge to border country
Wales and England you can weave
A glorious descent of Wye Valley
Comes before Brockweir heave.

Wye Valley
Descending the Wye Valley on the A466 towards Tintern.

 

Tintern Abbey
Tintern Abbey

 

Brockweir Bridge
Brockweir Bridge crossing from Wales to England near Tintern

 

Brockweir Cafe
Brockweir Village Shop & Cafe at about a third of the way up a steep long hill

 

Old Wye Bridge, Chepstow
Old Wye Bridge, Chepstow Attribution: Andy Dolman [CC-BY-SA 2.0]
I’m the bridge of many moods
I can be sunny, calm and serene
But given my position
My fogs and winds are mean.
I’m the bridge with two gates
One in England, one in Wales
Don’t get trapped on the ‘wrong’ side
Because they can be shut in gales.

Severn Bridge automatic gate
Old Severn Crossing automatic gate

I’m the bridge with listed status
Whose cables were feeling pain
So now my younger sibling
Relieves me of some strain.
I’m the bridge of two bridges
The Severn and the Wye
But most think we’re one
So invisible is our tie.

An animated panorama viewed  from the Old Severn Bridge up the estuary towards the decommissioned Oldbury nuclear power station.

[To listen to this verse select below]

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Coffee Stop

by Derek Morrison

CoffeeCupThumbnailTCoffee stop
Energy draining
Blood sugar drop
Need sustaining.

But table service
Fulfillment slow
Getting nervous
Near time to go.

Front of house
Very chic
Back of house
News is bleak.

Facilities no soap
One shared towel
Shared bugs scope
Definitively foul.

Reassuringly expensive
Confused with quality
Customers pensive
Despite frivolity.

Scope for whining
Not enough to eat
Like fine dining
More they bleat.

Friendly smile
Not even one
Not their style
Cyclists shun.

Mud on seats
It’s been raining
Splashes from streets
No guards explaining.

Pay as a  group
Final pain
Collection hoop
Not come again.

[To listen to this verse select below]

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