The Covered Bridge

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On that night long ago

Red flared across the sky

And flowed through the snow

Beside the covered bridge

Violent was his ending

Hatred was his companion

Reluctant was his going

Bereft of his gold

Silent were his returnings

Red wounds black in death

Seeking his lost riches

On the Covered Bridge

Few there were who saw him

Few there were could see him

Ghostly apparition

Tied to life in death

Heavy was the snowfall

High were the mountains

Overwhelming was the avalanche

Shattering the Covered Bridge

Smashed were the ancient timbers

Turbulent the rushing river

Carrying the last of an era

Down to the sea

The mountain tops echo

The sky flaming crimson

The dying sun remembers

The Old Covered Bridge

Old Harry sleeps at last

Soon too, the valley will sleep

As the shadows draw close

And Harry finds peace

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Poem Written in: Stewart, British Columbia | November 1979