The Sunday Poem: Bridge Saddle

The bridge saddle is the piece of wood, ivory, or plastic that goes in the bridge on a guitar and holds the strings up away from the surface of the wood. It is easily removeable, usually 2-3 inches long, 1/8th of an inch wide, and 1 inch deep. It is also utterly necessary. The bridge is located directly under the soundhole, and holds one end of the strings firm.

Bridge Saddle

All fifty pounds of tension, steel strings, wound
Strings, tight against the neck, help hold
The thin bridge saddle in its slot, a crowned
But hidden kingship below the soundhole.

The strings enter the bridge, the saddle keeps
Them steady; just this small point of pressure
Tunes the vibrations, rules the peaks, the deeps,
And governs music. It takes no pleasure —

Inanimate bone, it doesn’t feel a thing —
Not even the wide notch that’s carved into
Its gentle arching back, that keeps the B
In tune, the one recalcitrant, untrue

Note. Fifty pounds of tension, and no pain:
What sort of king is this, that can’t enjoy playing?