Poem from Olympic Opening Ceremony

We Are More
by Shane Koyczan

When defining Canada
you might list some statistics

you might mention our tallest building
or biggest lake

you might shake a tree in the fall
and call a red leaf Canada

you might rattle off some celebrities
might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie

might even mention the fact that we've got a few
Barenaked Ladies

or that we made these crazy things
like zippers

electric cars
and washing machines

when defining Canada
it seems the world's anthem has been

"been there done that"
and maybe that's where we used to be at

it's true
we've done and we've been

we've seen
all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine

and turned into theme parks
but when defining Canada

don't forget to mention that we have set sparks
we are not just fishing stories

about the one that got away
we do more than sit around and say "eh?"

and yes
we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One

who inspired little number nines
and little number ninety-nines

but we're more than just hockey and fishing lines
off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes

and some say what defines us
is something as simple as please and thank you

and as for you're welcome
well we say that too

but we are more
than genteel or civilized

we are an idea in the process
of being realized

we are young
we are cultures strung together

then woven into a tapestry
and the design

is what makes us more
than the sum total of our history

we are an experiment going right for a change
with influences that range from a to zed

and yes we say zed instead of zee
we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy

we dream so big that there are those
who would call our ambition an industry

because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow
we do more than grow wheat and brew beer

we are vineyards of good year after good year
we reforest what we clear

because we believe in generations beyond our own
knowing now that so many of us

have grown past what used to be
we can stand here today

filled with all the hope people have
when they say things like "someday"

someday we'll be great
someday we'll be this

or that
someday we'll be at a point

when someday was yesterday
and all of our aspirations will pay the way

for those who on that day
look towards tomorrow

and still they say someday
we will reach the goals we set

and we will get interest on our inspiration
because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks

more than backpacks and hiking trails
we are hammers and nails building bridges

towards those who are willing to walk across
we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss

we are not the see-through gloss or glamour
of those who clamour for the failings of others

we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers
uncles and nephews aunts and nieces

we are cousins
we are found missing puzzle pieces

we are families with room at the table for newcomers
we are more than summers and winters

more than on and off seasons
we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay

because we are more than what we say or do
we live to get past what we go through

and learn who we are
we are students

students who study the studiousness of studying
so we know what as well as why

we don't have all the answers
but we try

and the effort is what makes us more
we don't all know what it is in life we're looking for

so keep exploring
go far and wide

or go inside but go deep
go deep

as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss
and suddenly there was this location scout

trying to figure some way out
to get inside you

because you've been through hell and high water
and you went deep

keep exploring
because we are more

than a laundry list of things to do and places to see
we are more than hills to ski

or countryside ponds to skate
we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait

we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes
a country that is all the ways you choose to live

a land that can give you variety
because we are choices

we are millions upon millions of voices shouting
"keep exploring ... we are more"

we are the surprise the world has in store for you
it's true

Canada is the "what" in "what's new?"
so don't say "been there done that"

unless you've sat on the sidewalk
while chalk artists draw still lifes

on the concrete of a kid in the street
beatboxing to Neil Young for fun

don't say you've been there done that
unless you've been here doing it

let this country be your first-aid kit
for all the times you get sick of the same old same old

let us be the story told to your friends
and when that story ends

leave chapters for the next time you'll come back
next time pack for all the things

you didn't pack for the first time
but don't let your luggage define your travels

each life unravels differently
and experiences are what make up

the colours of our tapestry
we are the true north

strong and free
and what's more

is that we didn't just say it
we made it be.