Nenshi reads objectively terrible poem at city council following Grey Cup loss

It's unlikely to take a place among greats such as Kubla Khan or Where the Sidewalk Ends, but a poem written by Toronto Mayor John Tory had its desired effect at Calgary city council on Monday.

A theatrically downtrodden Mayor Naheed Nenshi took to the podium in council chambers, amidst ongoing budget talks that could see servicecuts in Calgary, to ham it up and read the poem as punishment for losing his bet on Sunday's Grey Cup match. The Argos beat the Stamps 27-24.

Watch Mayor Nenshi read a poem after losing a bet to Toronto Mayor John Tory

7 years ago

Duration 1:52

Nenshi makes good after losing a friendly Grey Cup bet.

As per tradition, each city's mayor wageredtheir home team would win.

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Wearing an Argos jersey, Nenshiread, in part:

"As I taste the bitter tears of defeat,
and realize that the Toronto Argos can't be beat,
I must also acknowledge a fact that I know is true:
Toronto, Canada's largest city, my God, I love you."

The mayor couldn't resist making quips about the quality of the rhymes and making a side comment about Toronto's subway woes, but he found the end of the poem and fulfilled his duty before going back to determine whether transit users will have to wait longer for their buses.

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