Penned in memory of my dear friend, John (Johnny) Burgin, Lost in a tragic accident during the early 1960’s, at the Black Bridge , spanning the Cromford Canal.  It’s a very sad thing of course, but I felt the need to share it. In this way, his name, and time with us, will not be forgotten. 

My memory serves me well

For certain noted things,

Of swaying sweet blue bell

Of friends, and snow, and swings

Most noted of these memoirs

For what I’ll share just why

Stood tall, and black as ebony,

Against those leaden skies

It was an aging monument

Carved for the days of steam,

An aging timber behemoth

A bridging ganger’s dream

It spanned the trickling Cromford

Broad timbers as its ribs

Its name should be remembered,

The infamous ‘Black Bridge’

Why infamous I hear you say?

What made it such to me?

Bide with me just a while I pray,

I’ll pass it on to thee

This most innocent of places

Became a place to mourn,

It saw, so many years ago

The loss of my friend John

The purpose of this simple verse

Is to linger when we’re gone,

To last in time perpetual,

Lest we forget dear John

Danny Elliott ~ 2006