Performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

– The poem celebrates the vibrant, scenic, and lively essence of San Francisco. Its themes include:

Natural Beauty and Scenic Charm: Descriptions of the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, green ridges, beaches, and starry nights highlight the city’s picturesque landscape.

Joyful Experiences and Leisure: References to lounging on the beach, savoring the coastline, drinking, dancing, and enjoying the night emphasize a theme of relaxation, pleasure, and communal joy.

Nostalgia and Friendship: The tone suggests shared memories and companionship, evoking a sense of warmth and togetherness amid the city’s lively environment.

Celebration of Life: The imagery of dancing daffodils and the lively atmosphere reflect a theme of vitality and appreciating life’s simple pleasures.

Overall, the poem’s central theme revolves around the celebration of San Francisco’s natural beauty, lively culture, and the joyful experiences shared with friends in this iconic city.

2) What motivates you to write this poem?

– I wanted to share with my friends, whether in Korea or around the world, the natural beauty of San Francisco, its vibrant culture, and the charm of this iconic city.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

– I started writing poetry when I was young and have been writing for over 50 years.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

– If I had the chance, I would like to have dinner with novelist Alexander E. Braun Alex.

5) What influenced you to submit your poetry performed by a professional actor?

– I asked a professional actor to perform my poetry to better introduce San Francisco to many people.

6) Do you write other works? Scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

– I write mostly poetry, but sometimes I write essays. I also published a collection of essays, “FOUR SEASONS,” in the United States last year.

7) What is your passion in life?

– I think positively in everything, have faith, and do my best in the tasks given to me each day, living passionately and diligently

POEM:

My friend, you’ll see the shore where the blue sky
pours its buckets of glaring sunlight; nearby ridges beckon
with wings of fresh green foliage.

A chilly wind often wafts in from the Pacific; this is San Francisco.

When you arrive,
you’ll find the Golden Gate Bridge, like cherry blossoms, linking north
and south.

We could lounge on Baker Beach,
and at Fisherman’s Wharf, savor the coastline. At Pier 23 Cafe, we’ll
drink and dance.

We could set our chairs facing the waves,
gazing at a myriad of stars in the brilliant night sky.

With the fatigue of life’s long journey behind us, we see a crowd,
a host of yellow daffodils,
fluttering and dancing along the beach like the women we might meet.