THE OLD BRIDGE TO THE NEW.
Farewell, young friend, I soon shall pass away,
My structure doomed, a victim of decay!
For full a century of Usk's wild rushing tide
I've stood and spanned that stream from side to side.
I'm not the first the Castle's hoary wall
Has seen arise, then serve its day, and fall;
And your frail timbers will not be the last –
A fine new structure's planned, approved and passed, –
A bridge imposing, worthy of the town,
Built to outlast the ancient Castle's frown.
Congested traffic's loud dissatisfaction
Has spurred the Council on from words to action;
Meanwhile to fill the gap with credit try
Till my successor rears his head on high,
And when he's posted firmly in position
Hand o'er our great and glorious tradition.
A.P.
