I want to live in a community where…
- Laura Sacks
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
On the evening of Nov. 8, 2025, community members gathered at the Nelson Public Library for food and connection at the event Thriving Together: Connecting Communities, Health, and the Environment.
For the closing, we gathered in a circle and shared when inspired by the prompt below. Here is the beautiful “poem” created from that sharing.
I want to live in a community where…
People smile at you when you pass.
Where children and dogs ramble in clean lake water.
And play in the streets!
Where everybody has safe housing.
Where we all grow peaches.
Where streets are for walking.
Where kids get to walk to school.
Where the hills are flat, and you can ride your bike.
That’s called Surrey!
That’s called e-bikes.
Where everyone lives free from violence.
I want to live in a community where?
Where people show up and are seen by people who know them.
Where we have clean water.
And clean air.
Where everyone has food to eat.
Healthy soils.
Where the wild bees still live.
I want to live in a community where there are no more forest fires.
We're taking mass transit is the norm.
I want to live in a community where kindness is a pleasure, not an obligation.
When I come to a meeting like this and see greater diversity.
Any more poetic stanzas to throw in?
Where my neighbor’s cats are not killing the birds on my land.
Where there's a public space where people can meet who don't know each other.
I want to live in a community where there are cultural activities for everyone to share freely.
Where people feel safe and comfortable being themselves.
Where littering is unthinkable.
Where there are dark spaces at night, and you can see the stars all the time.
Where everybody has access to Primary Care.
Where there are more spaces where people can naturally gather.
Where everyone has the opportunity for dental care.
And healthcare.
And medical Care.
And mental health groups!
Where wildlife and humans can live harmoniously.
Where people make art and music together.
Where we look after our home in the same way that we look after our pets and our children.
Generosity.
Where nobody is lonely.
Where you know all your neighbors.
And they know you.
