The Williamsburg Bridge And Her Messages: Join My 365-Day Peaceful Photo Challenge
DAY 241. Living with irrevocable differences and curating peace through contemplative photography.
April 30, 2025
“We build too many walls and not enough bridges.” ~ Isaac Newton
Walking, driving, or ferrying through New York City, we can proclaim one thing: how many walls we have.
Despite the growing towering congestion of walls that separate, I appreciate the bridges that connect.
As my ferry ride left the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges behind, I set my eyes upon a third — the Williamsburg Bridge.
Opened in 1903 for horses and carriages, trolleys, rail, and pedestrians, it became the second bridge to cross the East River, connecting the Lower East Side of Manhattan with Williamsburg in Brooklyn.
Only four feet and six inches (1.4 m) longer than the Brooklyn Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world for 21 years.
It was the first bridge to use steel instead of masonry towers because steel reduced the size of the foundations, could be reinforced in the future if needed, shortened construction time, and was less expensive than masonry towers. Steel towers then became standard for suspension bridge construction.
As I approached the bridge, I noticed the construction details of the metal framing, rivets, and cables, but due to its design and low visibility, I could not see the traffic navigating its span.
Amidst the bouncing on the choppy, wind-driven waters of the East River, I felt buoyant. In the absence of the call of birds and with air currents whooshing in my ears, I felt peace.
I glanced back at the shapely elegance of the Manhattan Bridge’s legs and the rugged stone trunks of the Brooklyn Bridge.
I smiled at Williamsburg. She seemed like an everyday woman—simple in form, unadorned in her modest gray and brown dress, ready to carry the weight of life’s burdens.
Experiencing Williamsburg this way, I sailed away with a deeper understanding of what makes life worth living even when faced with hardship, what strength looks like after damage and pain have visited, and the powerful attractiveness of that strength that often lies in simplicity, demanding little, and staying true to oneself.
What messages did you find in today’s photos? How do you find peace during life’s challenges?