By Wally Keeler
The sun was dawning behind the backs of POETCHRY, as it transported its 16th picnic table ladened with laser-etched poetry down a super textpressway that went from three lanes to four lanes to five lanes to six lanes to collector lanes gliding down the curvaceous DVP turning onto the Gardiner Textpressway with the morning sun boomeranging off glass pillars.
The shiny red pickup truck driven by Dave Glennie pulled up in front of the Royal Alex Theatre, where a literary novelty was unloaded, a picnic table of poetry composed by Cobourg and Toronto poets. The table was positioned at the north entrance to Word On the Street, Canada’s largest literary festival located in David Pecault Square, the centre of the unit verse in the ‘centre of the universe’ we know as Toronto. It was Sunday, September 28.
This table contained the poems from Cobourg poets and Toronto poets, the crème de la crème. There was considerable curiosity about publishing poetry onto a picnic tabletop. Several poets who had been published on this table showed up to see their work in spruce. This was the networking part of the Picnic On Poetry project.
Members of the Canadian League of Poets were nearby and came over to finger the text on the tabletop. This was poetry with a tactile element. The Canadian League of Poets is a decades long national organization that advocates on behalf of poets and poetry. Cobourg will see a table curated by this organization for unveiling in late April 2026.
Along came Banoo Zan, an Iranian-Canadian woman, who founded the years-long poetry reading series, Sher-E XXXX, Toronto’s most multicultural series. Banoo has agreed to curate Cobourg’s first multicultural/multilingual picnic table with poetry in English and Farsi to be unveiled in late April 2026.
The Mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow, dropped by for a visit, and her fingers likewise, traced a couple lines of poetry. The table is so compelling for touching. Mayor Chow was delighted that the table was brought to Toronto as a gift for Toronto Parks. She praised the simple idea of poetry on picnic tabletops. It was a good photo-op for both POETCHRY and the Toronto Mayor.
Cobourg Mayor, Lucas Cleveland, drove all the way to Toronto to boost the Picnic On Poetry project. He delivered a speech of good gush to the assembled poets and writers. “At the heart of that uplifting atmosphere is a thriving arts scene, shaped and sustained by the passion of local artists. From painters and musicians to writers and performers, Cobourg’s creative minds have helped cultivate a cultural landscape that inspires connection, expression, and joy. Their contributions bring colour to the town’s identity, making Cobourg not just a place to live, but a place to truly feel good.”
Picnic On Poetry is “a project which brings art and literature into everyday public spaces, inspiring curiosity, creativity, and a meaningful appreciation for local culture and language. “The Town of Cobourg is incredibly proud to display these 16 “Poetchry” picnic tables all across our Town, showcasing the beauty of literature, and the dedication to craftsmanship.
“More recently, Wally featured poems from members of the disabled community, thoughtfully etched onto the surface of an accessibility table—an inclusive and functional piece of public art that now resides in the Cobourg Ecology Garden. This initiative not only provides a space for rest and reflection but also elevates voices that are too often unheard, integrating them into the natural and cultural fabric of the town. The table serves as a permanent testament to the power of art to foster inclusion, dialogue, and community healing in a shared, accessible space.
“In closing, I’d like to acknowledge the incredible efforts of everyone who contributed to the Cobourg/Toronto picnic table—a true symbol of community, creativity, and collaboration. A special thank you goes to Wally Keeler and Kate Rogers for their vision and dedication in curating such a meaningful and beautiful piece of public art.”
Because he is Lucas Cleveland, he approached the table with cellcam in hand, doing a vlogger stream, speaking at the speed of a teenage girl, and posting it on his Facebook page. It was a wonderful ambush; get your wit polished and pointed in response.
Spending the day amongst the best authors, writers, and poets that Canada can produce was refreshing and rewarding. It bodes well for the continuity of Picnic On Poetry and its ability to bring the best of poetic literature of Canada to our quiet parks, departure lounges of inspiration highlighted by gentle breezes off a great lake.
At the end of the day, the Cobourg/Toronto picnic table was lovingly delivered to Dufferin Grove Park, near the section where the Children’s Learning Centre sits. It has been secured by the Parks Manager. The table has generated some curiosity and a group has formed to produce a picnic table for this park each year going forward. Poetry Raises the Stanza of Living.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
