Southern Bridges Poem by Shawn McAllister

mama is left alone among the piles
abandoned by the Rio Grande
distant dreams of Errol Flynn and Savannah

she sculptured along her way
a gallery of affections
hyphenated people
and her son became a subject of the northern star
where the snow leaves its calling card every year
and the beggars, squirrels and roaches
know what ice means

He knows the hyphenated people
understands the southern bridges
and is thinking how important hyphens are
knowing how much more the mamas are
but wondering
how you cross southern bridges
when northern lights are in your eyes