Bridge of Sighs, Venice

You are a prisoner of the State in old Venice.  Only moments ago, you were sentenced to a life in prison with no possibility of parole.  Your guards now escort you from the Doges Palace, the scene of your “trial”, to the jail.  At this moment, you are now crossing the single bridge that leads into the prison from which only Casanova has ever escaped alive (with the help of a priest induced by the wife of a nobleman for undisclosed reasons).  As you cross the narrow, fully enclosed bridge, your eyes seek out their last glimpse of the world outside… the last glimpse of freedom.  From these small, triangular windows cut in the marble walls, you momentarily linger to enjoy your last view of Venice.  And, as you linger, you let out a forlorn sigh, like so many others before you, that has given this bridge its name - the Bridge of Sighs.

©Serenkira Art Photography