Poet Laureate

Causeway Community Poem Project call for submissions

To celebrate National Poetry Month and mark the historic demolition of Kingston’s LaSalle Causeway, the City of Kingston’s Poet Laureate, Sadiqa de Meijer, invites residents to help create a community poem.

Taking part is simple: if the Causeway held meaning for you, or if you have a memory or story about it, share a few words or a line. You can write in prose or in verse. Even a short phrase like "the musical bridge" or "it made me late for work" is welcome.

Sadiqa de Meijer will use the submissions to create a new poem that reflects our shared memories. The finished poem will appear on the City of Kingston website and in print at City Hall and other arts spaces across the city. We won’t publish individual names.

About the LaSalle Causeway

Originally built as a penny bridge in 1829 and later replaced by the Bascule Bridge in 1917, the LaSalle Causeway connected downtown Kingston with Pittsburgh Township, near the mouth of the Cataraqui River—the southern entrance to the UNESCO-listed Rideau Canal.

The green Bascule Bridge, known for its distinctive hum as cars crossed it, allowed boats to pass into Kingston’s inner harbour. In summer 2024, crews demolished the bridge after it was damaged during construction. A temporary modular bridge now stands in its place.

How to submit

Sign up/log in to MyKingston and make your submission online by Friday, May 30 at 5 p.m. People of all ages are welcome to share.

What did the Causeway mean to you? What memory stands out? Share your thoughts in a few words, a sentence, or a short story—just try to keep it brief and specific.

2022 selected poet laureate: Sadiqa de Meijer 

Sadiqa de Meijer is the new Poet Laureate of Kingston. She has written poetry collections called "Leaving Howe Island" (2013) and "The Outer Wards" (2020). She has also written short stories and essays in various books and magazines. She won the Governor General's Award for her book "alfabet/alphabet: A Memoir of a first language" and received a 2022 Mayor’s Arts Award. 

Sadiqa is involved in Kingston's community, taking part in events, mentoring and working on numerous projects. She was born in Amsterdam to a Dutch-Kenyan-Pakistani-Afghani family and moved to Canada as a child. She brings a unique perspective to Kingston, especially for those new to the city or country. Her voice as a woman, mother and migrant adds diversity and inclusivity to the role of Poet Laureate. 

Sadiqa will be the Poet Laureate for four years and will receive an annual payment of $2,350. A group of writers, publishers, librarians, educators and people knowledgeable about Kingston's literary arts community nominated her. You can find out more about Sadiqa and her work at www.sadiqademeijer.com. 

2019-2022 past poet laureate: Jason Heroux 

Jason Heroux has authored four books of poetry and played a crucial role in fostering poetry in Kingston, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He kept poetry at the forefront, engaged with local poets, offered mentorship, and supported the local literary community. He also represented Kingston at the provincial and national levels, helping raise the city's profile as a hub for poetry.