Hello, Neighbour: On a Bench by Victoria College

This piece was selected to be part of Hello, Neighbour, a community engagement project that takes six pieces of writing from residents of Toronto, and uses them as inspiration for six new works by local artists.

Join us Saturday Feb. 23rd, 2019 2-5pm for a day of performances by the artists, hosted by Nana aba Duncan of CBC’s Fresh Air.

This event is FREE, click here to reserve your spot on Eventbrite!

ON A BENCH BY VICTORIA COLLEGE by Vivian Li

crowded Volvo realms rumble

when dandelion tassels cling

onto baked sweet leaves,

alarmed of simmering on winding sidewalks.

I lean against a wooden frame,

pen open and wondering

as sparrows tilt heads and bob

across thin borders,

hoping to befriend

the shadows of their friends.

Before sunset,

soft-cheeked bird and I seize

the peppered silences,

even as we walk in circles

and pause and look at each other again,

wings longing to part