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The Future of Yesterday

The Future of Yesterday

by Jason Heroux

I found an injured memory in the park,
from the past. Lying in the overlooked dark, 
staring up with eyes that sang. History

has been neglected so long it’s grown
rundown; nothing lives there anymore.
How does a body heal before it’s born?

Why is the sewing needle always burying 
the bones of its thread? The wounded
past still hurts then and now. 

Injured memory, you haunt
us all. Remember what happened,
and how. We’ll try to find a way home
 
together. It’s late and our loved ones 
are wondering where we are.

About this Poem

For each year of their appointment the Poet Laureate for the City of Kingston writes at least one new original poem that addresses or reflects one or more aspects of life in the City, then reads it in public for the first time at the Mayor's Levee on New Year's Day. Jason Heroux would have read his new poem "The Future of Yesterday" at the 2022 Mayor's Levee, had that celebration — like its 2021 predecessor — not been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is Jason's fourth and final official New Year's poem; his 2021 poem was "Civil Twilight". At the 2020 Levee Jason read his poem "New Year", and he read his "I Woke up In My City" at the 2019 Levee.

Jason's most recent collection of poetry at KFPL is his 2016 Hard Work Cheering Up Sad Machines. You can find more of his poetry and his fiction in the KFPL catalogue.

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 There's a new poem every month, written by poets living and dead, historical and contemporary, published and unpublished, adults and children, giving full range to the cultural voice of Kingston.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