9944_6 GGB and Fog II

9944_6 GGB and Fog II
Originally uploaded by misterken

THE GOLDEN GATE AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE MINDS OF MANY

A MOST CAPTIVATING AND MAGNIFICENT PHOTOGRAPH. THE GOLDEN GATE, ONE OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITE LANDMARKS OF AMERICA, SHROUDED IN ITS MIST AND FOGGY AIR REMINDS ME OF A JOYFUL TIME IN MY LIFE. THIS BRIDGE, SO INSPIRING TO SO MANY MILLIONS ALSO HOLDS THE RECORD FOR THE MOST SUICIDES. IN THAT RESPECT, THE BRIDGE DOES HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE MIND OF THE THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN IT AS ONE OF THE BEST "JUMPING OFF" SPOTS INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN, A STATISTICAL FACT THAT FURTHER LINKS THE BRIDGE TO THE DRAMA OF THE AMERICAN SCENE IN ALL OF ITS MANY ASPECTS. SUCH FACTS SERVE AS A STEADY REMINDER TO THOSE WHO STUDY SUCH STATISTICS, THAT CERTAIN AREAS FOR DEPARTURE ARE SELECTED BECAUSE OF A LOVE FOR INANIMATE OBJECTS WHOSE INANTIMACY HAS BECOME ELEVATED TO A KIND OF SPIRITUAL BEING OR PRESENCE. ONE COULD SAY, CONSIDERING THESE FACTS, THAT THE GOLDEN GATE IS, INDEED, A LIVING BRIDGE THAT ALSO KNOWS THE SORROW OF DEATH. WHEN I THINK OF OUR TROOPS WHO SAILED BENEATH ITS GOLDEN PORTALS TO FARAWAY DESTINATIONS SUCH AS OKINAWA, TULAGI AND IWO JIMA, I AM REMINDED OF HOW MANY LIVING MEMORIES ARE RECALLED EACH TIME THE BRIDGE IS SEEN BY THOSE WHO HAVE SAILED BENEATH IT AND RETURNED, BY THE RELATIVES OF THOSE WHO SAILED BENEATH IT TO NEVER RETURN. THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, A GREAT LANDMARK WITH MANY MEANINGS AND MEMORIES. THANKS TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER, MISTERKEN, FOR SUCH A MARVELOUS AND ENDEARING PHOTOGRAPH.