
The River Under the Road
You can watch me read my 2021 New Year’s Day poem for the Mayor’s Levee launched in the Virtual Levee.
The River Under the Road
under the road flows a river
always moving in one direction
even when we forget it’s there
the current, like a heartbeat
presses on just the same
carrying everything
all of us home
maybe a white door
leads to a road lined
with coffees like warm luminaries
inviting friends, new and old
to join in community
maybe a yellow window
opens to a road lined
with clocks like adored toys
welcoming family, then and now
to join in relationship
maybe a red wall
hides a road lined
with canaries like lost choirs
carrying news, mine and yours
to join in song
maybe a black floor
covers a road lined
with candles like joyful children
shining hope, peace and love
to join in light
under the road flows a river—
we make the road
by redefining its lines
always rebuilding our homes
along our road together
By Jessica Outram
Written for January 1, 2021
Mayor’s New Year’s Levee
Cobourg, ON


3 Comments
Larry Kosowan
I watched the New Year’s Levee and was impressed by your poem. I liked the repeating “invitation” of the last line in the middle stanzas, and I was intrigued by the hidden roads. Fine imaginative work. Kudos!
I watched some of the Mayor’s speech about Cobourg and… I can’t wait to learn more.
: )
Jessica Outram
Thanks so much. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. We have such a wonderful town!
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