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.

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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