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The Life Bridge

6/17/2025

28 Comments

 
Hello, dear blog friends.

It's #TankaTuesday, and Selma is the host. She invites all interested folks to write a Rensaku focused on relationships. Well, with all the turmoil on our beautiful planet, I've chosen to address the need for communication.

Looking back at this past week, I wonder what was achieved through the violence. Those who destroyed property felt empowered, and those who didn't felt more justified than ever. When we don't meet each other on common ground, we only see what we want to see across the divide, and it is dehumanizing.

Yep, I'm a counselor by training, but I'm not a pacifist. I'm a realist who strives to build bridges of understanding. From my perspective, life is too short not to do so. My poem ~ 
​

Picture

I leave you with a rendition of a song by Guns N' Roses -- Sweet Child of Mine.  I suspect we've all heard it, but these days, it's worth listening to again.

In war, there really aren't any victors. The brave men and women who honorably wear the uniform often face a life burdened by memories and injuries. Those of us who did not serve watched the conflicts on television--from a place of comfort. 

Many members of my extended family served in the military or are currently serving. Because of their bravery and the efforts of those who meet on the broken bridges of life, we can embrace hope. I'm immensely grateful to all who work to establish peace.

I hope you enjoy this reflective version of Sweet Child of Mine.


Have a wonderful week, dear friends. ❤️
28 Comments
Jacqui Murray link
6/17/2025 18:06:57

That is a pretty effective picture--a broken bridge where a path across can be found. Nicely done.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/18/2025 06:00:51

Thank you, Jacqui. It seems to be one we need to tread right now. 🌞

Reply
Priscilla Bettis link
6/18/2025 06:16:22

A powerful poem, Gwen. It made me think "a bridge of peace."

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Gwen M. Plano
6/18/2025 07:28:02

Thank you, Priscilla, for the kind words and the image - a bridge of peace. Beautiful! 🌞

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Dan Antion link
6/18/2025 06:51:38

We will never fully understand the price that was paid for our freedom. The least we can do is to try to avoid the need for more blood to be spilled in the name of peace. Yours is an excellent poem, Gwen.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/18/2025 07:29:10

So, so true, Dan. Thank you for your comment and insight. 🌞

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Liz Gauffreau link
6/18/2025 08:03:28

Thank you for this hopeful poem to start my day. I love the poem and your vision of a peace bridge.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/18/2025 08:16:49

Thank you so much, Liz. Have a wonderful day. 🌞

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John Howell link
6/18/2025 08:11:56

This is a wonderful message of unity, Gwen. I hope folks read it and take it to heart. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be any common ground anymore. People destroy and burn in the name of No Kings, Free Palestine, and support of illegal immigration. Lawlessness is now a virtue with some groups and is fueled by hateful rhetoric from the media and their leadership.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/18/2025 08:31:40

Thank you, John. The hateful rhetoric is destroying us--if not physically, certainly our souls. 💙

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Jan Sikes
6/18/2025 09:03:52

Oh, Gwen, I love how you found the words to express perfectly, the division and solution. Love can build a bridge! I also love the song you chose to share. All such a great message.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/18/2025 09:49:19

Thank you so much, Jan. I'm elated you liked the post. ❤️

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Timothy W. Dittmer link
6/18/2025 10:37:04

A great image and poem, Gwen, with such wise understanding.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/18/2025 13:34:56

I'm so pleased you liked the post, Tim. Thank you. 🌞

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D.L. Finn
6/18/2025 12:05:34

Beautiful poem and good song. I agree about meeting on that broken bridge. My heart hurts for all the anger and fears of differences instead of seeing the more powerful what we have in common xo

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Gwen M. Plano
6/18/2025 13:35:51

Thanks so much, Denise. It's heartbreaking to see the conflicts. ❤️

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Thomas Wikman link
6/18/2025 16:11:51

It is a beautiful and a the song in the video is beautiful

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/18/2025 20:17:18

Thank you, Thomas. I'm happy you liked it. 🌞

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Selma Martin
6/19/2025 08:22:50

A hopeful rensaku dear Gwen. Excellent. May we all find the bridge and may we thread with light footsteps. Beautiful indeed.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/19/2025 09:44:22

Thank you, dear Selma. I love the image of "light footsteps." ❤️

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Colleen link
6/21/2025 09:37:49

We're all standing on the broken bridge, Gwen. This was a stunning series. You say what we all feel in our hearts. ❤️

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Gwen M. Plano
6/23/2025 10:01:38

Thank you so much, Colleen. It's a weighty bridge. ❤️

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Miriam Hurdle link
6/21/2025 22:45:05

What a powerful poem and efective image you chose to illustrate the message, Gwen! Not only the bridge is broken, people's hearts are broken. We can only find peace when we bring our brokenness to cross the broken bridge to meet each other and find healing.

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/23/2025 10:02:49

Beautifully written, Miriam, thank you. Maybe facing one another in our brokenness will help us all heal. ❤️

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willow link
6/24/2025 12:48:14

Hi Gwen I have been writing about this scary subject for a fortnight now I even read out an old poem I wrote about the end of the world...
We need to meet on the bridge in your beautiful poem .... We need to create peace.
I agree with every word you have said here 💜💜💜

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/25/2025 15:17:57

Thank you, dear Willow. I very much agree with you. Hugs. 🤗

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Smitha link
6/25/2025 01:56:04

A lovely, meaningful rensaku, Gwen. We hope and pray for peace and all those who serve in the armed forces, fighting battles they did not choose but for the sake of the nation. The second stanza is exactly how I feel - 'stare into the abyss hoping for understanding. '

Reply
Gwen M. Plano
6/25/2025 15:19:35

Thank you, Smitha. These are difficult days, and tears are ever present. I hope and pray for peace. 💙

Reply



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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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