To Accommodate the Bridge over the Dark River

Stan, I love your late anguish, old man,
But how can someone accommodate
A bridge, regardless of the river?

"Dear bridge, please cross the gap before me.
I'm afraid it would be impolite
Of me to make the leap without you."

Come on. A bridge accommodates us,
And for once I feel it's not my fault.
You remember what the first bridge was?

That's right. A metaphor's metaphor.
It's been all civilization since,
And you are a civilized man, so

You understand. Sell me the painting
Of the bridge over troubled waters,
Black except where foam licks hunger white.