"Still in Edmonton" by City of Edmonton Poet Laureate Medgine Mathurin

As we find ourselves weathering yet another round of winter before spring even hints at appearing, many of us pause to ask why we’re ​“still” in Edmonton. In this spoken word performance of Still in Edmonton by City of Edmonton Poet Laureate Medgine Mathurin, she invites us to remember the wonder woven into this place — the small glimmers, the familiar corners, and the unexpected magic that make staying not just bearable, but beautiful.

Medgine’s words have clearly resonated with many Edmontonians, many of whom said the poem left them with a renewed appreciation for the city. And according to Medgine, the impact was felt even beyond the city’s borders: ​“So many people felt seen. I received several messages online and emails of people who used to live in Edmonton yet felt a great nostalgia and appreciation of the city, some were even brought to tears.” 

“C’était un plaisir de voir le poème rassembler les francophones et multilingues qui se sont aussi trouvés ici et qui ont pu trouver une sorte de fierté et d’assurance chaleureuse de leur propre appartenance dans cette ville.”

Haitian-born spoken word artist and advocate, Medgine, is someone for whom the love of language and the alchemy of words comes naturally. Her multilingual upbringing (French, Creole, and English) not only encouraged her to explore the potential and magic of language but also nurtured a deep love of poetry. Her works are driven by her personal experiences, reflecting life as an immigrant, a woman with chronic illness and a voice for marginalized communities.

Medgine Mathurin is serving a two-year term as Edmonton’s eleventh Poet Laureate, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. 

Edmonton’s Poet Laureate program is supported jointly by the Edmonton Arts Council, the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Public Library.

Keep informed about Medgine’s work and events by following @medginespeaks on Instagram and Facebook and by visiting her website. 

Find out more about the Poet Laureate program on our website. 

A special thanks to Old Saw Studio for creating this touching video.