News Release

City Reflections: War and Peace on Our Streets, a poetry project of San Francisco Poet Laureate devorah major, will launch in late July in association with the San Francisco Public Library.

“In these times, the poet must seek a clearer voice and a sharper eye,” said Ms. major. “Therefore, poets, children through elders, are encouraged to write on this topic while looking at the city where they live.”

The best of these poems will be made available to the public through publication in the San Francisco Chronicle Book Review, on the Library’s Web site, and through the Mechanics’ Institute Library and other locations and sites.

Each month the Library highlights one San Francisco Bay Area poet selected by the Poet Laureate, including a biography of the poet, a recommended reading list compiled by the poet, and a poem. The poet of the month is featured on the Library’s Web site, www.sfpl.org, as well as in the newsletter At the Public Library.

In addition, up to five new poems each month, submitted by the public, are featured on the Library Web site. Individual poems interpreting the theme of War and Peace on Our Streets should be submitted to:

San Francisco Poet Laureate devorah major c/o Public Affairs
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102-4733

Entries will be accepted in the following categories:

• youth under twelve;
• teen;
• adult;
• working poet;
• poems focused on a specific neighborhood (all ages).

Please indicate the entry category upon submission. Any submissions from children or youth under 18 years old must have a parent or guardian note agreeing to the publication of their child's poem. Submissions must be limited to a maximum of two poems, totaling no more than five pages of text. Please include a two sentence biography of yourself upon submission as well as a self addressed stamped envelope; entries received without an SASE will not be returned. Include e-mail contact address if possible.

City Reflections: War and Peace on Our Streets will culminate in April 2004 at the conclusion of devorah major’s tenure as San Francisco Poet Laureate. The occasion will be marked with a small exhibition of the best poems collected throughout the project.

War and Peace on Our Streets is supported by the San Francisco Chronicle, Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr., Mechanics’ Institute Library, Youth Speaks, City of Poets, Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco poets and the San Francisco Public Library.

For more information, please call 415.557.4277.