The Bridge at Bothell Landing

 Dear Mama,

Do you remember the light post made of wood that was in front of our house? Do you remember I wrote a poem about it and how they replaced it with a new modern light pole. The old pole stood for years and now its removed and thrown away. You really liked that sad little poem.

They are now removing an old bridge near downtown Bothell. The bridge crossed the Sammamish River. It is very picturesque. A new bridge will be put in its place. Recently I went to the park to take pictures of the bridge before they take it away. Here are the pictures and the poem:

The Bridge at Bothell Landing

Have you heard the news

Or seen work crews

Coming to take it away

They say it can’t stay

Soon it will be gone

Our own beloved icon

You didn’t hear

It’ll happen this year

I see it from where I’m standing

The Bridge at Bothell Landing

A backdrop to many a picture

A landmark and local fixture

This treasure in our vicinity

Has become a liability

Built above the banks, ducks, and fish

Arched across the river Sammamish

Soon to be taken away 

Due to wood rot and decay

Not that they don’t care

It’s just too costly to repair

Imagine a new one in its space

A new bridge taking its place

Surrounded by the same old trees

But without all the memories

Of groom and bride

Crossing to the other side

Others walk their bikes
Or start out on a hike

Photos that were took

For the senior year book
And all those classic shots
In all the usual spots

Generations have been blessed

By a bridge that gave its best

And never failed to be

Our favorite thing to see

What would be our own fate

Without a place to contemplate

A place to walk and wonder

Either above or under

I’d like to say goodbye

But when I do I start to cry

Now we come to the end

Farewell my old friend

Your space won’t stay empty

A new bridge is coming in 2020

Scratch that date

But it'll be here post haste