Remembering the Bridge Collapse
By Leah Droubie
July 31, 2008
We still wait for the dove,
The dove of peace.
Peace from the nightmares that constantly flow from
images of rebar protruding
from the piles of broken concrete.
Peace from the choking breaths of concrete dust;
the thick black smoke of burning diesel.
Peace from the screams, the crying,
the shrill sounds of sirens,
the taste of fear,
the grasping for safety,
the unbelieving alarm.
Peace from the sudden quiet,
Peace from the waiting,
the waiting,
the waiting.
Peace from the need for patience,
Peace from the feelings of emptiness; of loss.
Peace from the memories of yellow police tape,
the sight of brilliant lights reflected in the dark Mississippi;
the divers searching.
Peace from mind photos of rescued cars lined-up in the lot.
Peace that promotes the healing of our bodies, our minds, our spirits.
We wait for the dove of peace,
For freedom from the never-ending tears not yet ready to wash happier times to the forefront.
We wait for relief from the anguish of saying "good bye" to all that was.
We stand next to each other,
waiting for the dove,
The dove of peace—and of hope.
About the author:
Leah is a retired public health nurse, now an American Red Cross volunteer with disaster relief. Usually she processes various tragedies through her writings. The collapse of the 35 W bridge in Minnesota happened nearly 1 year ago —August 1, 2007. 145 people were injured; 13 died.
Sponsor
Sponsor
An Interview with Heather Masse
In a 2009 interview, Heather Masse tells us about her earliest influences, auditioning in a women's bathroom, and a few memorable moments from A Prairie Home Companion.
Old Sweet Songs: A Prairie Home Companion 1974-1976
Lovingly selected from the earliest archives of A Prairie Home Companion, this heirloom collection represents the music from earliest years of the now legendary show: 1974–1976. With songs and tunes from jazz pianist Butch Thompson, mandolin maestro Peter Ostroushko, Dakota Dave Hull and the first house band, The Powdermilk Biscuit Band (Adam Granger, Bob Douglas and Mary DuShane).
