Our Sydney Harbour Bridge
From inviting worldwide tenders late in 1922,
they let the contract to the firm of Dorman Long and Co.
After seven years construction, steadily the great bridge grew;
the crew worked hard although a few men lost their lives below.
The bridge was opened formally in 1932
with speeches made by then State Governor Sir Phillip Game.
The crowd pressed forward eagerly to get a clearer view,
but a soldier broke loose from the ranks to claim a moment’s fame.
His name was Frank de Groot and, on his horse, he moved up front
and slashed the ribbon Premier J.T.Lang was meant to clip.
“I open this Bridge in the Name of The King!” he cried - a crazy stunt -
they detained him then retied the ribbon for Jack Lang to snip.
It’s known with great affection as the ‘Coathanger Bridge’ in OZ
and did you know Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee, the star)
worked, painting, on our bridge which took a year? He left because
he had the gift to make folks laugh which later took him far.
Across the arch the tourists climb each day to see the view;
you must be walking-fit to reach the base before you climb
two hundred steps up to the arch without help from the crew
but, once you’re there, the sights you see are utterly sublime.
Each New Years Eve, at twelve, they light the bridge fireworks display -
the awesome scenes across the bay will blow your mind away.
If you come to New South Wales, make sure you see our bridge by day -
maybe you’ll get to like our country and decide to stay!
Joan Benecke August 19, 2007
Author notes
This is my first attempt at iambic heptameter.
I wrote about our bridge because it holds fond childhood memories for me.
My Mum was told the arch she ought to walk;
she would’ve too except my Dad said “NO!’
He didn’t want to lose her was the talk -
as you can see it’s very high to go.
As tots with parents ‘cross the bridge we’d walk.
I’d skip and run and watch the boats below;
my brothers too the height would never baulk -
we’d always smile at folks and say “Hello!’
http://www.sydneyharbourbridge.info/
In a list
A contest entry
- Only For Members of Hugh Wyles Favourites Group #19 by huguenauties.
750 points, ended August 30, 2007, 12 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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Dear Joan,
I really enjoyed your poem written in iambic heptameter about the Sydney Harbour Bridge! I'm not afraid of heights and would love to see the view from the bridge! The bridge itself is a sight to see! And I enjoyed the part about Frank de Groot's crazy stunt..a little known fact like that really adds to the story when relating the history of the bridge.
If I could vote for your poem, I would. Very nicely done, my sweet soul sister!
Love and Hugs,
♥ Maureen
P.S.: I was surprised to learn that Paul Hogan had a hand in painting the bridge, too!
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The bridge is breathtaking. I love bridges and used to play on a very short one near the Aquarium by the Lake as a child. My son took his wife on the same bridge one evening. They shared a basket dinner with wine. He proposed to her that night. Bridges can be so romantic.
It is sad that some construction workers on this beautiful bridge had to lose their lives. What's amazing is that it took ten years to build this beauty. "Frank de Groot" was a zealous character, as it seems. LOL Sounds like something my excitement would warrant as a youngster. I like the fact that you included "Crocodile Dundee's" handiwork in the history of this bridge. He is a man of many talents I see. I love the last line here. I am sure if I ever got your city it would memorize me into setting up camp. LOL I love the historical journey this poem takes the reader on Joan. For a "non-entry", this poem surely hits the mark. Excellent!
Always Loving YOU My Angel ♥
Renee
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Dear Aunty Joan
I love the Sydney Harbour Bridge, when I lived in Sydney I always looked forward to crossing it, gave me butterflies in my tummy. I enjoyed your first poem and your second little poem. Great reading and best of luck in the contest.
Hugs and love,
Your loving niece,
Petra xo
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Lovely poem Joan - now this is one icon I have visited & crossed & got lost near when I visited Luna Park.
LOve & Hugs
Anne
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wonderful
a very discriptive picture of the bridge of your child hood memories. Would that I could come over and see it...maybe in my next life...
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I wish this was a real entry because I want to vote for it. You have no idea how much I enjoyed it. Not only was it informative but it had just the right amount of humor and trivia to keep me smiling.
Also the photo is beautiful.
I've been over the Golden Gate bridge a few times and that was fun, though bridges give me the creeps for I always think something bad is going to happen, lol.
I smiled like a hyena as I read the part about the soldier getting his moment of fame...now that is the kind of stuff you can't make up.
You don't really want people to come and stay do you? A lot of people come to Maine in the summer but we're always glad to see them go back when the tourist season is over.
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Dear A/J,
OHH That is our bridge, have been over and under it many times. I remember Paul hogan when he worked on the Bridge and how he became famous. Lovely poem dear Aunty.
Love Hine.
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Dear Bea,
Thankyou for writing and sharing this well-written poem and the link to the encyclopaedic history of what is, surely, an even greater iconic landmark of Sydney than the more recent Opera House.
I congratulate you on your deft versification of the Bridge's story from which I, for one, learned several previously unknown facts. The incident concerning the fame-seeking Captain de Groot is amusing. Is there a ballad about him (as there is, for example, about 'Breaker' Morant)?
Applause for a great epic ballad in masterly heptameter. It's a pity in a way that Heathcote named you as a collaborator so that voters cannot elect your poem for a GOLD award which it richly deserves.
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh (R.)
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very picturesque!
The poemin iambice hectameter has went well very fluently. The reader definitely gets an idea or say wish, to witness the great bridge. curiosity overwhems himto climb the bridge and greet the people underneath. Thank you very much for sharing.
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A very informative write about the bridge Well done and best of luck in this contest. I don't think I've heard of this form before
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Thank you Julie, I used to live on the North shore and we often took trips across the bridge, sometimes we'd get off at Milsons point and walk or we'd stay on the tram and ride across. My Mum worked near the bridge before she married my Dad and she actually watched them bring the two sections of the arch together.
Thank you for your lovely comment.
Joan
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