The Coathanger

by Lioness   Jul 22, 2012


There could have been
fireworks beside those
faded pylons, but even
on New Year's Eve the glimmer
in my heart was never lit,

because I knew I would spend
another wasted summer
feeling winter's breeze
against my rutted skin.

The forgotten seasons
lure me covertly so that
my past becomes my
present, and I am
unable to see the
forsaken horizon
ahead, thus my future
remains uncertain.

Just like those who
were killed beneath
the coat hanger bridge
with their decaying
bodies, I too will
be nothing but
a faded memory.

********************************************

Written for a club contest. Prompt "Bridges"

A little history - I did a ghost tour of The Rocks in Sydney and the guides were telling us that one of the workers (when they were building the Sydney Harbour Bridge) had fallen in the cement and no one knew that he had fallen in and died. They went looking for him for a few days then realised what had happened but by the time they did, it was too late. He remains there til today - and apparently people see him on the Ghost tour. Alas I was not one of them.

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  • 12 years ago

    by Karla

    Powerful poem Liz.

  • 12 years ago

    by Xanthe

    I love this piece, Liz!! It's so creepy and sad. The simile with the memory and yourself was brilliant.
    I can't quote anything, because I love every part.
    The part about feeling winter's breeze against your skin's just remarkable. I also love the bit about forgotten seasons luring you.

    And thank you for writing the message at the bottom; I would never have guessed that. It's scary and interesting.
    ---
    'Alas I was not one of them.'
    ^
    I would've been very disappointed as well if I did not see any ghosts on a 'ghost tour' :)

    Keep writing!

  • 12 years ago

    by L

    It gave me chills just thinking about that person, and the ghost. I mean his body was not recovered and I guess was not given proper burial so the ghost might still dwell there. ( that's what people say) I wonder how would you react if you have seen the ghost? The "alas I was not one of them" made me think about that.

  • 12 years ago

    by nouriguess

    Did this win? Just curious.

  • 12 years ago

    by Exostosis

    The opening stanza is very strong. Such incidents have occurred repeatedly since the dawn of man. Tragic deaths produce a cold breeze of unfulfilled dreams and wishes sunken, perhaps beneath the sands of time. Sad, how in the afterlife one is left astray from mortal solace and between two different worlds, to oscillate.

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