Ashkum Ashwick

Golden Gate Bridgoetica Ashkum Ashwick

The "Golden Gate Bridgoetica" is a long poem-book that sings in praise of not only this magnificent bridge, but its creator, Joseph B. Strauss. The author, Ashkum Ashwick begins by illuminating Strauss's unique history, leading up to the beginning of his greatest bridge project. With creative parents, a musical mother and painting father, it is no surprise that Strauss also followed a creative path, writing poetry for most of his life. In addition to the creative, Strauss also had an engineering mind, designing and building four hundred bridges in his career, the greatest being the Golden Gate Bridge. This project was one that he fought for from the beginning, pushing through all that tried to oppose it. The speaker states "the battle started by poet engineer/ was vigorously won and never lost." Construction began on January 5, 1933. In the stanzas that follow, the speaker details the construction process, from the hindrances of weather, lead poisoning endured by the workers, and the sheer dangers of their positions as the work continued. These dangers sadly resulted in twelve accidental deaths, prompting Strauss to purchase and install an expensive safety net beneath the bridge, saving nineteen lives, '"Halfway to hell club' those saved were called, / Otherwise to death, they must have met.' After taking the reader through the construction process, concluding at a final cost of thirty-five million dollars, the speaker describes the bright festivities of the bridge's opening day: boy and girl scouts at each entrance of the bridge, fireworks, song, and souvenirs. This bridge quickly became one of America's greatest wonders. Sadly, its reputation has not remained without blemish. The speaker somberly relates that "Golden Gate Bridge has its downside too/ As people use it, for suicide to commit", and advises if there are any signs of suicide on the bridge to please call and get help. "The speaker brings the poem to a close by relating a series of fascinating facts about the bridge such as an increase in the toll amount, the staggering number of rivets used in its construction, and the US Navy's objection to its color, 'International Orange', citing a safety hazard in fog for their ships. The last stanza details the eventual installation of a statue of Strauss, a process that much like the process to build his bridge, was at first met with opposition, was championed by one person, and finally completed, a fitting connection between creator and creation.