She stared at the bridge
looking at the train getting closer
she walked along the metal grid
as the train was almost here, as it closed the gap
she grabbed the ledge, holding on
hoping, wishing.
The water was deep below
blazing in the wide river
shimmering in the sun.
The last thing she said was ‘free my mind’
and she flung herself and fell
down
down
gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Image credit: Suefeldberg
For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a wall graffiti painted on a metallic side of bridge; FREE YOUR MIND.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #224 photo prompt

I hope that she survived and got something positive out of this experience. Thanks Chris for joining in. Much appreciated dear friend.
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It’s good to be back, thanks Sadje, and I’m sure she’s a survivor too!
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Yes, it’s wonderful to have you back writing dear friend. Thanks.
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The Raconteuse is back!
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She could be soon!
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This is heartbreaking, Chris! Too many people on the brink. You portrayed it well.
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Thanks so much, Punam!
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You are welcome. ❤️
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A new poem? I was holding my breath as I read it, so hoping she wouldn’t jump . . .
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Yes, another new poem and I’m happy to do more than one meaning here.
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I’m so glad you’re back to writing, Chris!
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“gone”….l like how this can be interpreted in different ways, Chris.
profound and so well expressed 🤍✨
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Thanks so much, Destiny💛
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Wow! It was like an eternal moment, and then… the eternity?
It’s very touching.💖💕
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Thank you so much, Aladin – we’ll all get there sometime… 💛💫🌟
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this is so good Chris. You caught her desperation 💜
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Thanks, Willow!💛
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A pleasure 💜
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Powerful, sobering poem, Chris — with perhaps a faint hope that the person survived?
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Thanks, Dave – there’s always a little hope…
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Touching, and sad.
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Sad but true – thank you, Andrew.
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You’re welcome.
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I was hoping this had a happy ending. But jumping from a bridge versus being hit by a train offers scant joy…
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Thanks Val. Difficult but possible for her!
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Powerful piece Chris
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Thanks, Di!
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🙂
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😱 So scary! But you can tell someone is a good writer if they can evoke an emotional response, which you did with this poem!
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What a lovely thought😊 Thanks, Debra!
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A very vivid moment captured!
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Thank you, Katharine!
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Woah! But I’d like to think she’s okay. Great take, Chris. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Maria💛
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You’re welcome, Chris 🙂
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Very dynamic and raw, Chris. Great stuff.
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Glad that you liked that, Matthew.
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That’s one way to free the mind!
Good to see you again, Chris! 😃
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Well, we like to do things a little differently, don’t we?
Thanks, Tom 😉
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Wonderful to be reading you again, Chris.
This is very dark and intense, yet also works well as a metaphor for change. Fine writing.
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I’m pleased that you liked that. Thanks, Chris.
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Welcome back Chris! 👋😀
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Thank you, Cassa!💛
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i am truly delighted to read you again Chris❤️
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Thanks so much, Mich! 💫💛
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Wonderful post 🌹
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We can only hope her wish came true.
A bit late to the party I’m afraid, I didn’t realise you were back – but I’m so pleased you are!
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Slowly but surely, I’m coming… thanks so much, Keith!
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One could ‘jump’ to conclusions… hopefully it was just the negative energy that was flung and gone. And ‘She’ was renewed with the positive energy of the sun. 🙂
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I like that idea very much, Jules!💫
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😀
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I hold on to ‘hoping and wishing’ in this Chris, hoping and wishing that this spark of light saw her survive.
Powerfully written.
And so pleased to be reading you again.
Maybe, some day when you think the time is right, you’ll write something for the Unicorn Challenge. 😏
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Thanks, Jenne, I’m glad that you liked that. It’s strange that ‘free verse’ is the easier one for me at the moment, but I will be back with stories soon. You have seen that I like the Unicorn Challenge and I will think about it seriously.😉
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The creative mind does what it wants, especially when you free it, and free verse – well that’s exactly the thing.
Will always be good to read you, whatever you write. It’s always good.
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[…] Chris; Free your mind […]
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Holy shamoley, Chris! In just a few lines, you’ve convey the intense moment of decision and the overwhelming desire for liberation. I particularly love your juxtaposition of the train and the river…
~David
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Gosh, thanks so much, David!
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Such a powerful piece
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Thank you so much!
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Wow, just wow! That’s such a beautifully dark poem, Chris.
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Ah, thanks so much, Susan.
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Wow, Chris, this is very powerful. Well done.
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I’m pleased that you like that, Robbie.
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I really do.
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That’s a dark one, Chris. What a choice. And what an end … or was it? Great poem.
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Thank you so much, Diana!
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Oh no.. she took the plunge. will she make it … sink or swim. Powerful Chris❣️
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I’m sure she made it. Thanks so much, Cindy!
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A very sad poem, Chris ❤ ❤
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Thanks, Carol Anne. Just a tiny hope for the woman who plunged over the river…
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