The Green Bridge by Chipka
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Description
I sometimes wonder if strange things happen on bridges: reality shifts, I mean. The thought first occurred to me as a child. I can’t remember how or when, but I found it absolutely fascinating to think that perhaps bridges were…well…quite literally bridges, and that rivers were the boundaries between worlds. I never really thought that crossing a river allowed you to enter a different world so much as the midpoint of a bridge was where you vanished and were somehow sent back to your native side of the bridge (and kept in limbo) while another you made it to the other side. When the other you crossed back…he (or she) was sent back to his (or her) own side of the bridge, while you completed the journey. There was always doppelganger you, hovering at the midpoint of a bridge, just waiting patiently to complete your journey.
I was a weird kid.
While wandering along the North Branch of the Chicago River with Corey, I thought of those childhood bridges and the doppelgangers they created. I asked my childhood self: “So, what happens if you cross a shallow river on foot, without the aid of a bridge?” My childhood self shrugged and said: “Your shoes get squishy.”
I’m quite certain that when you cross a river (with or without a bridge) nothing metaphysical happens. And yet, I’m intrigued by the thought that we may not be who we think we are and bridges (and mirrors) are a testament to that fact. Whenever I see bridges, I think of a world in which we are both human and reflections of humans in perfect balance. It’s an amusing thought, and makes for an interesting story…if Jorge-Luis Borghes or China Miéville haven’t already written it…eh, Miéville DID touch on the idea and explore it in a different, horrific way…and Borghes…well…Borghes is dead. There’s still a chance—then—that I’d write the story my thoughts inspire, just as soon as I figure out the plot, and figure out whether or not I want to be bothered. In the meantime, I’ll just content myself with crossing bridges (and occasionally spitting into the river at the midpoint, if I’m feeling like a Gypsy.)
This picture was born last Sunday, as I walked with Corey. I didn’t say much about bridges and mirror-image doppelgangers, but the thought wasn’t far from my mind. I was more interested in trying to capture the mood of the river itself, and a couple of Hassidic guys with impressive earlocks, black hats, and old fashioned black trousers and jackets. In all honesty their earlocks weren’t that impressive…not like the ones Moses probably wore at any rate, and there wasn’t enough time to initiate Ninja Photographer Protocol #3. I was behind those guys, and not in front, thus NPP#3 would met with ambiguous results. The gentlemen in question also noticed Corey and I…more specifically, they noticed our cameras and so they engaged their cloaking devices rather quickly. I can only say: “שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם,”in Hebrew, anyway, and I probably mangle it beyond recognition (did I even spell it right or put it in the right direction here?) so it was probably better that I kept my big mouth shut, and allowed two gentlemen to remain visually cloaked.
I enjoyed making this picture, and exploring the implications of bridges existing as oddly multi-dimensional things, and as I write this, I wonder who crossed that bridge and who crossed back….
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a fantastic week.
Comments (25)
kgb224
Wonderful capture my friend.
MrsRatbag
Wow, this is lovely; and in the daytime too, I'm proud of you! Although it is shady there under the trees...I also have wondered about alternate realities around mirrors and doorways and bridges. Maybe there IS something to it! Beautiful shot!
redchilicat
Gorgeous light and POV!
NefariousDrO
I'd call you a highly imaginative kid, myself! I always loved bridges, as well. I remember once asking if other bridges could take you to the same place when I was very little. My parents never really knew what to make of me, sometimes... Love this photo, too. That rich green light suffuses the whole making it seem magical. I can easily see this opening into a quantum array of possible futures and pasts, all linked by this magical green bridge. But it does make you wonder in some kind of quasi-Taoist way: Is the bridge linking the universe, or does the universe link the bridges?
Foto-Arte
Long live bridges! Great scene and narrative!
jocko500
I remember bridges as a child too. I thow a lot of stuff into the water. the only rocks i had to thow was the shell by the side of the road as there is no rocks here. very good shot
MrsLubner
the shimmer of light on the water gives this such magic.
auntietk
First of all, this really is a magical image! The light is beautiful, and it seems like you're rather farther from the city than you are. If you haven't read Stephen Donaldson's The Mirror of Her Dreams</> and the sequel, A Man Rides Through then let me highly recommend these books! It's a two-part tale, and worth every last word.
beachzz
When I was a kid, I thought if you jumped INTO the television, you would be there. Good think I didn't try it!! Back to your river and your bridge--I just like them, a lot. My rivers are bigger than this one, with wonderful sandy beaches. Yours just meanders thru town, looking so peaceful and calm. Not always the case, I'm sure.
helanker
Chip! THAT is what I love to read. Your special imaginative thinking. Deep fascinating and makes me smile of wonder, when I see it all before me. The image is really good with alot of mystery mood and fits perfectly to your thoughts.
durleybeachbum
A great narrative and your pic seems almost rural! It may be necessary to be a weird kid to be an interesting artist? Discuss.
njb2000
Fine looking bridge Great shades of green Sorry you didn't capture the ninja Hassidic guys I did try to look for them myself!
flavia49
beautiful image!!
faroutsider
You were a weird kid? In my experience, weird kids grow into weirder adults - so weird on! (and keep the flow of thoughts pointing in our general direction...) I've also had a thing about bridges - I'm never sure if the bridges I cross will be in the same place when I come back to them - multidimensional shape-shifting and all that... It's not just a change of perspective - the world is quite literally a different place from the other side. Anyway, who wants to go back to the same world, over and over? As for the photograph - I love it. Suspended in time-space among the shadows and light, the crisp lines of the engineering offset by the organic shapes of the vegetation and the barely susceptible movement of the water, and the hosts of invisible people moving between the dimensions. Beautiful.
Thetis
splendid capture!
marybelgium
wonderful !
mickeyrony
Beautiful shot cons update my friend. The fall colors to dazzle us, excellent choice. Bravo and thanks mile ((5 + +)) Belle prise de vue à contre jour mon ami . Les couleurs se divisent pour nous éblouir ,excellent choix . Bravo et mile mercis((5++))
sandra46
very fine shot, putting together the hard reality of the iron bridge and the imagination of the wood
jac204
Wonderful picture and narative.
Sepiasiren
what a lovely spot--the perfect place to just stand and talk or reflect...brilliant capture on the mood of the shaded rest...
billcody
Wonderful contrast of bright and dark parts. And an interesting object, here the old bridge. Fine!
lick.a.witch
Weird kid? I think not! You just think outside the box - as does my son. That makes you especially open to much that other just cannot see! ^=^ This picture is my kind of image. Fabulous Chip. ^=^
minos_6
Compelling words that remind me of some of my own childhood fantasies, so you are not alone! In my case it was walking through tall gates that made me imagine barriers in time and space, and moving from one world or realm to another. The photograph is sumptuous, and the interplay between light and shadow has been captured perfectly. I even found myself looking for a doppelganger, once I'd spotted the bridge user!
danapommet
A very peaceful and lazy looking river. Also like the muted reflections. Dana
Orinoor
Your writing brings us back to our own childhoods and the imaginings that come with bridges and rivers. For me it was never the bridge that fascinated, but the river itself, all the creatures living there seen and unseen. There was also the promise of a journey, in squishy shoes, to see where that river could take you. Bridges were more a refuge, to be hidden under, troll-like, so the ordinary humans could not intrude on the magic of the place. Thank you for your picture and your words, it has taken me back to memories not often visited.