NOT POEMS! A free monthly Poetry Night at SF Zen Center, CC 4/17

Practice Center
Date / Time
April 17, 2026 / 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Event Type
Workshops and Retreats
Description

Who says my poems are poems? My poems are not poems. When you know that my poems are not poems, Then we can speak of poetry!
— Ryokan, Zen monk & poet (1758-1831)

All are invited to participate in a monthly night of poetry in the City Center Bookstore.

Facilitated by Kevin Starbard and Christopher Gallagher, this offering will take place once a month, on a date that will be announced and found on the SFZC calendar.

We welcome you to express yourself, down to the marrow of your heartstrings. These are extraordinary times that we are living in. Please let us know what you have to say.

Invite your friends and loved ones to witness your take on the current state of affairs, and/or existence as a whole. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you there!

San Francisco Zen Center Bookstore
300 Page Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

 

Christopher Gallagher

Christopher Gallagher

Christopher Gallagher has served as the Program Registrar and Senior Reservationist for San Francisco Zen Center since 2015. He has performed poetry throughout North America for close to thirty years. Here is a sample of the message that he is hoping to uplift the human race with:

My heart breaks like porcelain
Over the beauty of it all
I'm not sure where to begin
Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall

 

Kevin Starbard

Kevin Starbard

Kevin Starbard has been curating Zen Arts events at City Center since 2022. 

He currently serves as Bookstore Manager at City Center, and has practiced at all 3 SFZC temples, and at Toshoji temple in Tokyo.

Fee Information

This is a free public event. No registration is required.