Bloody Bridge (Darkness into Light)

Written for the event, Darkness into Light at Sacred Trinity Church, Salford.
Thursday 19th March 2026
Responding to the paintings of Janice Lightowler and her journey through chronic illness.


This is the bridge she crosses every day
 From asleep to wakeful
 From private to public
 From darkness to light
 And back again

This is the bridge she pauses on every day
 The halfway point
 To wonder if she should
 If she could
 If she’s able to
 Take another step

This is the bridge she leans over every day
 To talk to the water
 To ask it if maybe today
 Just this once
 She might not put on her pleasant mask
 And instead smash it on the rocks below

This is the bridge that one day
 She will stop crossing
 And that one day
 She will flow freely beneath


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