The Bridge by Edward Thomas (1914)
The poem explores themes of solitude, memory, and the passage of time. The speaker reflects on their journey to a bridge, symbolizing a transitional space between past and future. They acknowledge the presence of friends, both kind and unkind, who are now distant memories. The speaker experiences a moment of stillness, where the burdens of the past and the uncertainties of the future fade away. The imagery of the stream suggests a natural flow of time that washes away memories, allowing for a brief respite from life's struggles. This moment is portrayed as a rare blessing, where the speaker can contemplate the beauty of existence without the weight of past experiences or future anxieties. The contrast between the darkness of night and the fleeting lights evokes a sense of ephemeral beauty, emphasizing the transient nature of life and the importance of cherishing the present. Ultimately, the work encapsulates a profound meditation on existence, inviting readers to reflect on their own journeys and the moments that define them. The bridge serves as a metaphor for the intersection of memory and hope, highlighting the complexity of human experience.
By Edward Thomas · First published 1914 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Nature Poetry · 117 words
First lines
I have come a long way to-day:
On a strange bridge alone, Remembering friends, old friends, I rest, without smile or moan, As they remember me without smile or moan.
All are behind, the kind And the unkind too, no more To-night than a dream. The stream Runs softly yet drowns the Past, The dark-lit stream has drowned the Future and the Past.
No traveller has rest more blest Than this moment brief between Two lives, when the Night's first lights And shades hide what has never been, Things goodlier, lovelier, dearer, than will be or have been.
What this Textopian page supports
The Bridge is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edward Thomas, dated 1914 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edward Thomas
- Date: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Nature Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Elegiac Poetry
- Length: 117 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Bridge by Edward Thomas
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Evening by Emily Dickinson
- To Earthward by Robert Frost
- Interval by Edward Thomas
- Clouds by Madison Cawein
- One Day And Another by Madison Cawein
- Indian Summer Of Skies And Seasons by Henry Van Dyke
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem's focus on personal reflection and emotional depth aligns it closely with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Modernist Poetry — The themes of memory, time, and existential contemplation reflect modernist concerns and stylistic approaches.
- Nature Poetry — The imagery of the bridge and the stream suggests a connection to nature, a common theme in poetry.
- Philosophical Poetry — The exploration of existence, memory, and the passage of time indicates a philosophical underpinning.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Symbolism · Bridge · Transition · Life · Death · Fleeting Nature · Human Condition