The famous 16th-century bridge of Mostar, a historical heritage site was blown up by Bosnian Croat forces in November 1993, it has since been reconstructed.
Nothing disturbed the still waters
of our subterranean caverns
when we visited in ‘72.
We admired the colour washed houses, bought
a coffee pot and Turkish rug before
pausing to memorialize the beauty of the bridge.
We plummeted in ‘93 when
Serbs shelled the keystone
into the Neretva taking
four hundred years of history with it.
There were assaults from both sides
with ineffectual attempts to prevent further attack
like those of the local Muslims who draped tyres
over the sides and scaffolding along the walkway.
We had history too but lacked the will
to re-construct from what had been.
Now I am alone with my facsimile.
February 9, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Sad. Will there be a new most?
February 9, 2008 at 10:56 pm
It’s a beautiful bridge with obviously a lot of meaning and history. Thanks for participating in 3 Word Wednesday.
February 10, 2008 at 6:12 pm
TC, there is a new bridge, although I’ve not actually seen it. For me, it can’t replace the old one.
February 11, 2008 at 2:59 am
I love how you combined real events, your trip? with history. Reminds me of Haruki Murakami’s Windup Bird Chronicles.
February 11, 2008 at 10:04 am
Mariacristina, this poem owes something to a real trip, which wasn’t taken in ‘72, and mainly provides an authentic experience of a place to fictionalize.
I’ve only read ‘Hard Boiled Wonderland and The End of the World’ by Murakami – really weird with two existenes, one of which is in his head. ‘The Wind Up Bird Chronicles’ is one of the many books I’ve bought and have yet to read – you’ve prompted me to read it.
February 12, 2008 at 7:56 am
Yhis reminded of something completely unrelated. Bamian Buddhas were blown up by Talibans. Those cannot be reconstructed.
I like Murakami.
introducing myself
February 26, 2008 at 12:00 am
[...] Here is my original post for 3WW. [...]