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Coke Machine Glow

Coke Machine Glow

by Gordon Downie

Here we are on the highway.

Here we are on the road.

Here we are in the parking lot's Coke machine glow.

Here we are in the bedroom

Here we are in the bed.

Here we are beside eachother

after everything

we've said.

About this Poem

Cover of Coke Machine Glow

From Gordon Downie’s poetry collection Coke Machine Glow (2001), published simultaneously with his solo album of the same title

About the Poetry Blackboard

The Poetry Blackboard showcases poems curated by Kingston's Poet Laureate and written by Kingston poets. There's a new poem every month, written by poets living and dead, historical and contemporary, published and unpublished, adults and children, giving full range to the cultural voice of Kingston. Started in 2015 by Helen Humphreys, the Poetry Blackboard has been continued since 2019 by Jason Heroux.

We wish to thank Helen Humphreys, Kingston's second Poet Laureate, for her generous support of emerging and established poets in Kingston through library programming and our Poetry Blackboard project. Throughout her four years as Poet Laureate, Helen curated a digital collection of poetry to showcase the talents of local creators of all ages, both historic and contemporary. Helen also offered several opportunities for emerging poets to develop their craft, offering group workshops and one-on-one mentorship. Her active engagement with the library and community has been greatly appreciated.

In 2019 we welcomed the incoming Poet Laureate, Jason Heroux, who continues to curate the Poetry Blackboard and to develop new community programming.

Previously Published Poems