Red Clay Brick

My neighbours press close by my side
  their faces blank and flushed
I wish I could turn away and hide
 to now escape the shadowed hush
with wings unfurled on some windy ride
 or bathed in sunset's ruby blush.

I wish I could turn away and hide
 to now escape the shadowed hush.
Strong mortar holds and rebar's tied
  me here to carry mankind's rush
with wings unfurled on some windy ride
 or bathed in sunset's ruby blush.

Strong mortar holds and rebar's tied
  me here to carry mankind's rush
across this bridge over a river wide
 each pillared foot drowned in tidal gush,
not with wings unfurled on some windy ride
  nor bathed in sunset's ruby blush.

Across the bridge over a river wide
 each pillared foot drowned in tidal gush
that slaves and soldiers drowned and died
 to lay me, not to crumble nor be crushed.
Still, I wish my wings unfurl on some windy ride
 or that I'd bathe in sunset's ruby blush.

L22