A Rip in Heaven

Cummins briefly recounts the history of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Once part of Route 66, it was shut down in 1968, and by 1991 it was frequented only by graffiti artists and adolescents. On one side of the Mississippi River is Missouri; Illinois lies on the other side.

Julie, Robin, and Tom pass through a cut in the chain-link fence that blocks access to the bridge, and they walk across it, over the river. Meanwhile, Gray, Clemons, Richardson, and Winfrey walk near the Illinois end of the bridge before they turn back, toward Julie, Robin, and Tom. Julie admires the hodgepodge of competing graffiti and feels honored to have her poem among them.

They find the poem, written in large white letters across the deck of the bridge. The poem is a “Spike Lee-inspired poem about the universality of humanity, a plea for understanding and an end to racism” (43). Tom tears up after reading it. They hear voices and retreat to the shadows, fearing the police. Gray walks up to Julie, sticks out his hand, and smiles. They exchange introductions, and Gray and Richardson suggest they continue out toward the center of the bridge, where the graffiti is particularly beautiful.