You can never set foot
in the same river twice
with dreams underfoot
and genes that are spliced;
perhaps you may try
but it will not suffice…
You can never set foot
in the same river twice.
People cross bridges
before they arrive;
they make split decisions
and think they will thrive;
Perhaps it’s success
that they get out alive…
People cross bridges
before they arrive.
When people cross bridges
they often are scared;
they change their positions
but are not prepared;
too big for their britches;
too young to be spared…
When people cross bridges
they often are scared.
To those who cross bridges
before they can come,
they seem smart for wishes
when really they’re dumb;
they jump out of fear
because tears make them numb…
To those who cross bridges
before they can come.
Those
who
cross
bridges
before
they
can come
to them,
Those
who
choose
ig.nor.ance
rather than
con.se.quence,
half-assed and shivered
with current despair…
They pass over rivers
that weren’t even there.
Written by Jason Wright
April 14, 2019
For River Phoenix,
whose death at age 23 affected the end result.
For Anna Suisebrick,
who provided part of the concept.
For Celine Tobias,
who has shared her fear of crossing over bridges.
and for Carol Jackson,
who once shared this sentiment,
which I never forgot.
All my love!
Edit: Carol Jackson passed away in August of 2024, but she definitely saw this. She had no memory of passing on this wisdom to me, but I assured her that she definitely had and she kindly took the compliment. I didn’t see her often as an adult but I’d have liked to and when we did see one another, it was always a moment filled with love.