Generators’ poem gives the dock a voice

Victoria, Amalia and Isabella read their poem to a crowd of thousands 

The new boardwalk across Canada Dock opened with a bang on Saturday, with around 2,500 people turning up to enjoy a carnival procession, live performances, food, drink and more.  

In recognition of the newly created wetland habitat traversed by the boardwalk, the ribbon on the boardwalk was cut by Generators from the youth leadership programme at Paper Garden. Victoria, Amalia and Isabella, members of the group run by sustainability and education charity Global Generation, read out a poem written by the collective, offering the perspective of the dock itself. Read their speech and poem below. 

“We are the green ambassadors of the Paper Garden. Paper Garden is a Canada Water-based community that brings the younger generation together for a chance to contribute their opinions to the local environment. We are here to speak for those who can't find their voice. 

“Our relationship with the natural world as humans is significant and shouldn’t be taken for granted. What's happening with the boardwalk today has great importance  in rekindling that connection. The garden collectively decided to write a poem based on our semblance with nature and surroundings.” 

I’ve felt the swans swim across my tranquil waters. 

So peaceful I could hear their unknown symphony 

So interesting the bottom of the water is unfamiliar 

The visiting cormorant struggling to find the deep. 

Each animal skimming the surface sending ripples across me 

The ducks have seen the fluorescent bodies 

Moving soil, drilling, building, planting, assembling on my edges 

For years I’ve been a spectacle admired from afar, never up close 

Today is the day to present my glory 

Soon many will see their reflection in my peaceful stillness 

A scarlet bridge traverses me for the humans born near and far to see my majesty 

Read more about the boardwalk opening party here. 

Find out more about our charity partner Global Generation here.