Bridges of Life

Bridges of Life

Johnny Dixon, The Bridge (iUniverse, Inc., 2007) 35 pages, non-fiction, $9.95 U.S.

"We all have 'bridges to cross' as we encounter various situations in life and sometimes the journey is difficult, even painful... but never impossible. And once we've completed the journey by virtue of our having made good choices, wise decisions and considered the feelings of others, we will emerge as a stronger, wiser person with something to impart to others.

There definitely will be 'future bridges' that one crosses in growing up, bridges of equal power and majesty. The Ben Franklin Bridge is a metaphor for other non-physical bridges, psychological crossings and rites of passages we all make in our journey through life."

So states what reads like a little afterward to this short memoir. Perhaps this bit of explanation should have preceded the story as it changes the way one reads it. What seems like a simple narrative told through a child's eyes becomes instantly complicated upon the consideration of the metaphor intended by Dixon. In fact, it becomes almost foreboding and pregnant with insinuations.

This is one single day in the life of a small boy- and not just any day. This is Saturday! We follow along on an adventure boldly taken by three friends as they cross the bridge that connects Camden, New Jersey to West Philly for the first time. Dixon lovingly recalls for us a world that no longer exists: small town America in the 1950s. The Ben Franklin Bridge is remembered here as the first bridge Dixon crossed in a life of 'bridge-crossings'. A delightful book, it can be read in one sitting, but the ramifications of the deceptively simple story with its deep metaphorical meaning will stay with you.

The book is very short, too short. One is left with a feeling that this is merely a prequel, much as The Hobbit was the prequel to The Lord of the Rings. It is hoped that Dixon will deliver on the hope latent in this little book and present us with a full-length memoir in time.