The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) features poems in its subway cars for an initiative decorating people’s commutes with pieces of poetry, “Poems in Passage.” A year ago, the poem “Footnotes For The Toronto Sky” by Pujita Verma started to make an appearance. 

This deeply sensory poem illustrates an experience of holding onto a profound connection with a loved one, for hope, guidance, and direction, set against the backdrop of isolation in a large city. Understanding the extent of one’s loneliness can be especially difficult in a large city with millions of people.

“Before, I didn’t think there was such a thing as too much light. 

This city blinds its own night. 

There are supposed to be 4,500 stars visible from where we stand, I see only you.”

This passage remarks on an overwhelm of lights, both sensory and metaphorical, and how a loved one can shine brighter when the vast amount of other stars are dimmed. In the city of Toronto, there are few stars visible. The night sky is often hazy from light pollution. There aren’t 4,500 stars visible, but perhaps 4,500 skyscraper windows instead. The imagery of there being many stars, or perhaps paths in life, or connections with people, can be an illusion. The skyscrapers devour the stars, so you hold on to what you can.

“On the walk back, we followed a road not illuminated by any street lamp. Talked about how one day, if an apartment made sense & we could afford the view, we might become one of the beautiful, flickering windows.”

There are tradeoffs to moving forward in life. One needs an anchor of safety when surrounded by the unfamiliar. This poem, illustrating maybe the first instances of transformation into adult life and wanting a larger, fuller life for yourself, remarks on how new paths are not illuminated or defined. We experience many firsts in life, and we must find ways to forge our own hope – and light. 

Hope and yearning go hand in hand, but how do you find the courage to turn your hopes into reality? The poet leaves this question unanswered, emphasizing the feeling of smallness and the unknown in the face of the future. Alone, you can feel small. But when there’s someone to dream with, the future can seem more beautiful, worth yearning for. 

“Footnotes for the Toronto Sky” is a reflection on how connection and having an anchor can ground us when we feel small or lost. Whether you are taking the TTC while reading this poem, or reflecting on your future life, this can be a reminder of how a strong connection can make the unfamiliar feel welcoming. 

Learn more about Pujita Verma here: https://www.pujitas.com/

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