is it not the responsibility
of this government
of ourselves
to shield one another
from harm?
a bridge
across a rushing
stream of traffic is
a symbol––
& a fact of how
we respect &
protect each
other
the rector street
bridge connects people
with their work & homes
& their well-
being––
be they old or
young––
rushing or strolling––
the bridge is strong &
lifts them
on their way
our city does
its best to guard
them at every too fast
street corner––
we have a vision-zero
to raise each other
to safety
yet what other city
sustains a full bore highway
through the heart
of a pedestrian mall?
without this bridge
(& brother & sister bridges),
we invite a growing mass
of people into a daily
rapids of predictable
harm
what can we call this
but gross & unnecessary
negligence?