Coit Tower Poetry Club

Join the Coit Tower Poetry Club for the April installment of their First Friday residency. This month, the gathering focuses on the work of Lucille Clifton (1936–2010), an American poet celebrated for her spare, powerful language and her exploration of the endurance of the human spirit.

The Featured Poet

Lucille Clifton was a prolific author of poetry and children’s books whose work is noted for its economy and directness. A former Poet Laureate of Maryland and a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Clifton developed a signature style characterized by a lack of capitalization and minimal punctuation. Her writing centers on themes of the body, family history, and the African American experience, turning everyday observations into profound statements on survival and self-definition.

won’t you celebrate with me what i have shaped into a kind of life? i had no model. born in babylon both nonwhite and woman what did i see to be except myself? From won’t you celebrate with me (1993)

Clifton’s poetry is often described as unadorned and grounded. By stripping away traditional formal constraints, she allowed the rhythm of common speech to carry the weight of her narratives. Reading her work at the summit of Telegraph Hill—where the city meets the open bay—complements her focus on the relationship between the individual and the vast, often difficult world around them.

The Ritual

The reading takes place outdoors on the back lawn of Coit Tower. Following the established club tradition, attendees form a circle and pass a collection of the featured poet’s work from hand to hand. There is an open invitation for anyone to step forward and read a selection aloud, though listening is equally encouraged.

The Setting

Perched at the top of Telegraph Hill, the location provides a 360-degree view of San Francisco and the waterfront. The natural quiet of the hill after dark creates a focused environment for the spoken word, offering a brief departure from the activity of the city below.

The Community

This is a grassroots, unpretentious gathering. It is open to all, regardless of their familiarity with Lucille Clifton’s work. Whether you are a regular attendee or a passerby walking the Filbert Steps, you are welcome to join the circle.