Poet-in-residence
Cecilia Knapp was 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
Overheard on Blackfriars Bridge
Cecilia Knapp, our poet-in-residence, has sought inspiration for this poem about Blackfriars Bridge from overhead conversations and fragments of sentences, gleaned from passers-by as they cross the bridge.
Overheard on Blackfriars Bridge
Blackfriars Bridge is the oldest of our five bridges. Opened in 1869 to replace an earlier bridge, it predates the construction, or reconstruction, of Tower, London, Southwark and Millennium bridges.
As Cecilia says, 鈥鈥Bridges connect the city physically, north to south. And poems are connectors too. They can communicate ideas in ways that are deeply felt.
鈥I hope this residency and these poems help us connect more deeply鈥攖o the bridges we love use and each day, to one another, to our city and to the impact of words.鈥
Our thanks to , with whom we are partnering on this project.
Filming by .
Read Cecilia鈥檚 poem
Overheard on Blackfriars Bridge
have you ever been here at sunrise? 鈥 you must 鈥 it鈥檚 like 鈥 I don鈥檛 even know what
what are they 鈥 carved into the stone 鈥 birds I think 鈥 yes 鈥 sea birds 鈥 facing the ocean
your hands are freezing 鈥 here 鈥 put them in my pocket 鈥 that鈥檚 more like it
mum can you hear me? 鈥 wait one more thing 鈥 before you go
I mean the view 鈥 is there anything better? 鈥 London all frisky & twinkling
the lights 鈥 baby look the trains 鈥 come here 鈥 let me zip you up
the sky it鈥檚 like a bruise or something 鈥 so purple 鈥 the river鈥檚 calm tonight
I used to walk for hours 鈥 just to end up here 鈥 stop with me for a second will you
I never thought I鈥檇 leave 鈥 but the rent 鈥 it鈥檚 going up 鈥 & up 鈥 I just鈥
it鈥檚 good to see you 鈥 I鈥檝e been meaning to ask but you know 鈥 life
I don鈥檛 know he鈥檚 not my usual type 鈥 but maybe 鈥 I鈥檓 so sick of the ghosting
we have to cross over get there 鈥 no it鈥檚 on the other side 鈥 the small green pub
this was dad鈥檚 favourite wasn鈥檛 it? 鈥 imagine 鈥 his feet across this once
no I like the rails where it鈥檚 faded 鈥 kind of pinky 鈥 like 鈥 kind of soft
at last! 鈥 the rain has stopped 鈥 I鈥檓 gasping 鈥 how long have I got you?
oh you know 鈥 the anxiety is real 鈥 girl 鈥 same 鈥 it鈥檚 been 鈥 a lot
I know 鈥 I know 鈥 what else can we do 鈥 but keep on
the sun 鈥 is suddenly 鈥 so bright
love 鈥 it鈥檚 only me 鈥 I鈥檒l be home soon 鈥 promise
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Our bridges
Our five bridges are symbols of London鈥檚 history and beacons for its future. Learn more about Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Millennium Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge