Poetry Pause is the League of Canadian Poets’ daily poetry dispatch. Read “Oh, Toronto” by David Silverberg, part of the League’s Fresh Voices program.

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Oh, Toronto

By David Silverberg

Oh Toronto, you identity crisis, you!

You widening gap between the housing haves and have nots,

you juggler of never-ending highway mangling, you last call party pooper.

Oh Toronto,

you suddenly short-turning bus, you weed store lottery winner

you 24/7 rush hour, you sushi-burrito-Frankenstein.

Lo, Toronto, how you disappoint me.

You encampment blitzkrieg, you street art mangler.

You pump-fake of a waterfront.

But also, Toronto,

you Michelin stargazer.

You rap cipher mixtape maven.

You ravenous ravine influencer.

You buffet of Richmond Hill peking duck, Kensington empanadas, Scarborough rotis.

You Kids in the Hallmark holiday seasoning.

You Queen Street body buzz, you Annex puppy yoga teacher.

You background behind the Boys in Suits with Criminal Intent.

You literarity.

You winner of the inner beauty pageant,

you high on the hopium of a sunshine future,

no matter the clouds nudging the skyline’s condo crowns.

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Copyright © David Silverberg

David Silverberg is a published poet, spoken word artist, solo-show performer and writing coach. He’s performed his poetry across Canada and Europe, and his latest poetry collection is As Close to the Edge Without Going Over (ChiZine Books). He is also the founder and former artistic director of Toronto Poetry Slam. In May 2026, he will be Toronto Public Library’s Writer in Residence, with a focus on journalism.

Fresh Voices is a publication and workshop program created by and for the League’s associate members, curated and edited by Erin Vance.

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