Poet-in-residence
Cecilia Knapp is our first ever poet-in-residence, celebrating our five iconic bridges, our deep history, our role as a major funder, and the work of the many organisations we support
Pantoum for Community Gardens
A poem for London’s community gardens by Cecilia Knapp, City Bridge Foundation’s poet-in-residence
Pantoum for Community Gardens
Written by our poet-in-residence Cecilia Knapp and in partnership with The Poetry Society, this poem draws inspiration from the beauty of London’s community gardens and the dedication of the volunteers who care for them.
A pantoum is a poem of four-line stanzas, with repetition of certain lines.
Our special thanks to Hackney Herbal and The Orchard Project, whose stories and work helped shape the poem. The film was shot at Hackney Herbal, a setting that brings Cecilia’s words to life.
Here’s to the power of teamwork, the joy of gardening, and a greener future for all. Let’s keep cultivating kindness, one garden at a time!
This is the second in a series of poems written by Cecilia as City Bridge Foundation’s poet-in-residence, in partnership with The Poetry Society.
Cecilia’s poems celebrate our role as caretaker for five of London’s most iconic bridges, and as London’s largest independent charity funder — celebrating the work of our incredible funded organisations.
Filming by Alexander Nicolaou
“I was particularly moved by several visits to community gardens and orchards in our city that support clean air, provide vital accessible green space to Londoners as well as habitats for wildlife and the means to grow food.”
Cecilia Knapp
Read the poem
Pantoum for Community Gardens
All over the city, tucked like seeds, between glass and concrete
there are gardens. Orchards. Hawthorn, hazel. Sour cherry. You sit slow in their shadows.
Herbs grow plump in beds; marjoram, sage, rosehip. Sprays of mint
all there for you to pick; lemon balm and wild rocket.
There are gardens. Orchards. Hawthorn, hazel. Sour cherry. You sit slow in their shadows,
& the gates are always open. You work side by side and know each other better, it’s
all there for you to pick; lemon balm and wild rocket,
rosemary for calm, verbena for the stomach, dandelion root stewed for tea
& the gates are always open. You work side by side and know each other better, it’s
for everyone. You roll your sleeves in rain or honeyed sun, keep it all alive,
rosemary for calm, verbena for the stomach, dandelion root stewed for tea.
Wrens sleep in the hedges. Bees do their sweet old thing in the homes you’ve grown
for everyone. You roll your sleeves in rain or honeyed sun, keep it all alive.
And isn’t it wild how hands plunged into soil can heal in ways we all deserve? Look—
wrens sleep in the hedges. The bees do their sweet old thing in the homes you’ve grown,
the trees so full of colours, bowing heavy with the weight of love.
Wild how hands plunged into soil can heal in ways we all deserve. Look—
the trees clean the air, the kids pick fruit just when they like,
the trees so full of colours, bowing heavy with the weight of love,
small green apples to stew into salted chutney.
The trees clean the air, the kids pick fruit just when they like,
listen; your voices weave with the alliums, the gardens give just what you need;
small green apples to stew into salted chutney,
spaces to breathe where there were none, wild roses, tomatoes, baby apricot trees.
Listen; your voices weave with the alliums, the gardens give just what you need.
Built on nothing more than broken bricks. Roots drawing good minerals from the earth,
spaces to breathe where there were none, wild roses, tomatoes, baby apricot trees
all over the city, tucked like seeds, between glass and concrete.
Want more poetry in unexpected places?
Follow us on Instagram for new poems, behind-the-scenes with Cecilia, and updates from across our bridges and communities.
Photograph of Cecilia by Audrey Damier.
Our bridges
Our five bridges are symbols of London’s history and beacons for its future. Learn more about Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Millennium Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge