Lawrence Ferlinghetti turned 100 this week and San Franciscans celebrated with readings of his poetry at City Lights Bookstore and around the Bay Area.
The Changing Light
The changing light
at San Francisco
is none of your East Coast light
none of your
pearly light of Paris
Twilight and Coit Tower
The light of San Francisco
is a sea light
an island light
Hills and Homes
Painted Ladies
And the light of fog
blanketing the hills
drifting in at night
through the Golden Gate
to lie on the city at dawn
Headlands and Fog
Tugboat and Fog
Moonset and Fog
And then the halcyon late mornings
after the fog burns off
and the sun paints white houses
with the sea light of Greece
Summer Day
Sunrise and Fog
with sharp clean shadows
making the town look like
it had just been painted
~Lawrence Ferlinghetti, 2000
Headlands, Fog and City
Twin Peaks View
Via Ferlinghetti
City Lights and Transamerica
City Lights Bookstore
“Poetry is eternal graffiti written in the heart of everyone.”
What a beautiful city you live in, Jane.
Thank you, Lisa. I hope I do her justice with my “love letters”.
You do indeed.
Perfect marrying – enjoyed
Thank you very much, Ecopoet. This poem of Ferlinghetti’s helps me to see.
Calming – the detail in both words & images’
I’m glad you enjoyed the pairing.
Wonderful photos and poetry, Jane. !00-years-old is a very good age. San Francisco looks really beautiful in all of your amazing shots. Makes me want to visit again. 🙂
Thanks for the tour of your lovely city Jane. Brings back lots of happy memories. Have a great week.
Thank you, Andrew. Ferlinghetti’s words paint such a beautiful picture of SF and inspire me to photograph. Please you enjoyed. Wishing you a wonderful week, too.
🙂 I’ve missed you! The one thing I can say, is that SF is your city ~ you own it 🙂
You also have what I think is one of the coolest tools at your disposal while shooting, fog & mist. It is magical, and when combined with your touch with the lens and perfect lighting a photo worth hanging is created. Great post.
Hi Randall, Miss you, too! 😁 Thanks for your visit and lovely comment. Ferlinghetti’s words help me to see..this beautiful city and the incredible light. Very pleased you enjoyed –coming from your artistic eye, that means a lot.
OMG…WOW…fantastic shots Jane…truly mindblowing….what an eye…i own’t even try to figure out how u captured moonset n fog??? gorgeous!!
Thanks very much, April. Certain times of the year, the moon sets behind the bridge and it’s a gift when it’s a foggy sunrise. Glad you enjoyed these!
Very nice cityscape series. Like the foggy ones. I have an image of the Transamerica Tower in my archives when she was a young building (circa 1976).
Thanks so much, David. Neat that you have a vintage shot of the Transamerica. 🙂
Wonderful, Jane. How perfect is that–Ferlinghetti is a quintessential SF poet and your photos illustrate his work beautifully. The light in your shots is terrific. I hope City Lights is continuing to thrive. I must go there the next time I’m in SF.
Hi Patti, I said to another commenter, Ferlinghetti’s poem helps me to see. Those vivid descriptions ring so true when I am photographing around the city. Pleased you enjoyed this pairing, thanks so much. City Lights is still there– we stop in whenever we are in the neighborhood–fun to poke around.
An interesting historical note–City Lights was founded by the son of an Italian anarchist.
He comes by it honestly.
Yes!!
This poem by Ferlenghetti accompanied by your photoogrpahs of San Francisco remminds me of the Lewis Hine quote you have on your ‘A Gentle Rain’ post. Ferlenghetti’s capacity to tell us the San Francisco story in such a painterly, eloquent and precise manner perhaps spared him from ‘lugging around a camera’. You choose to lug… Lucky for me and many others who get to enjoy your photographs and in my case learn from them.
Hi Arati, Oh yes, I love that quote. I’m very happy you enjoyed this pairing and that the quotes and poems I share are read. 🙂 Thank you very much for your visits and kind, encouraging words.
San Francisco is a beautiful city, and you’ve captured it well. I used to visit a friend there often, but now it’s been years.
Thank you very much, Dave. Hopefully you will get back again sometime soon. I appreciate you stopping by here!
Hello. I like your site.
Ferlinghetti is still sharp as a tack. I read a recent interview with him that clearly shows that. He’s probably the hippest 100-year-old on the planet.
Neil Scheinin
Hi Neil, I couldn’t agree more! He has a new book out. Must be the SF water. Thank you for your response and I’m glad you like what you see. 🙂
What a super poem and how marvellous the pairing with your images. It is as though the poem was written for your photography of your delightful city. It has been a while now since my last visit but I remember it well.
Hi Jude, Thank you so much. Your comment means a lot to me- Ferlinghetti’s words paint inspiring pictures in my mind. Glad it brought back good memories- San Francisco has a way of stealing hearts. 🙂
How gloriously you’ve illustrated Ferlinghetti’s poem.
Thank you, Atreyee. His words help me to see. Pleased you enjoyed this one. 🙂
Beautiful 🙂
Thank you, Joshi. Pleased you enjoyed this one. 🙂
Lovely collection Jane. I especially like the one of the bookstore. And Coit Tower at twilight.
Alison
Thanks so much, Alison. Happy you enjoyed this one and those images in particular. That Coit evening was spectacular for its light.
I love this, Jane….how does he do it? Good genes I guess, and good attitudes too, maybe? It’s good to hear about him being celebrated him in town, and what a great idea to honor him here, in this way. It’s like a duet, both of you expressing your love for the city. It all makes me smile. (Love the sharp clean shadows and paint job of the Via Ferlinghetti photo, and ending with City Lights is perfect).
Thank you very much, Lynn. It is amazing and wonderful that he is 100 – unable to attend the festivities but still writing with a new book out! I love that you called this a duet– how lovely and much appreciated. 🙂
Oh how I loved this post, Jane. A fantastic tribute to Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s serene love for San Francisco, paired with your stunning photographs. It’s true, the light here in SF is such a gift, and lends tireless beauty to all elements of this gorgeous city and its many different moods. One of my favorite looks in SF is the fog when it’s in ribbons, and you did a magnificent job of capturing it in “Headlands, Fog and City.”
Hi Jet, Happy you enjoyed this “love letter” to SF. Ferlinghetti’s beautiful poem so aptly describes our city and inspires me. Glad “Headlands” caught your eye– made from Twin Peaks. I wish I did time lapse photography to catch those mesmerizing ribbons of fog crawling over the hills. I love that, too. Thank you very much for your kind local’s eye response. 🙂
Beautyful Pictures of a very impressive City. I remember my 2016 travel to SF!
Hi Detlef, Happy this brought back good memories from your visit. Thank so much. 🙂
Wow, Jane! You just totally transported me back to the days when I lived in this magical city! Catching the changing light that I only wished I could have back in the day when I was a total novice with a camera… Thank you so very much for this!
What a wonderful response, Gunta. Thank you so much and happy to transport you! 🙂
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
You could have stopped after the first photo but you kept them coming, each one building on the one before just like his words. This is a magnificent tribute to the City and the man.
Ω
Hi Allan, Your response made my day- thank you very much. I love this poem and what it inspires in me. So glad you enjoyed this.
Jane, this is an Awesome post! I loved the way you blended Ferlinghetti’s poem with your wonderful photos! What a great idea!!! One of these days I will tempt you into doing that for one of my poems! Bellissimo!!
Xoxoxo
Thank you so much, Chuck. and coming from your poetic mind, that means a lot. I haven’t forgotten, and have even created a small folder from our last exchange. 😁Glad you enjoyed this pairing!
You are so welcome!! Now you have got me excited!! LOL! Loved this post!!!
xoxoxo
You do so very well by your city, this was like opening a wonderful storybook. I cannot imagine anyone who wouldn’t jump at the chance to visit these scenes.
Hi Robert, That means a lot to me, thank you so much. It’s my hope that the images tell a story, a love story about SF.
The combination of words and images is excellent – captures the delight of SF!
Thanks, Jane!
Happy you liked this one, PC. Thank you so much!
Beautiful tribute Jane, images and words together create still another special story.
Thank you, Tina. This poem really inspires me and I loved pairing the images. So glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful light captures! I especially like ‘Summer Day’. I was doing something similar yesterday with a mountain peeking out above some low clouds. More pages for your Golden Gate book!
Hi Denise, Thanks! Classic SF and my growing collection of foggy GG photos. I made a Golden Gate book recently and used this poem on the opening page. 🙂 I bet your landscape captures of the mountains with low clouds are stunning. Will be over soon. 🙂
beautiful, beautiful photos! This post is the perfect capture of SF!
Hi Mackenzie, That means a lot coming from a (former) SF resident. As you know, there are fantastic moments of color and light. So glad you enjoyed these–thanks very much. I hope you are enjoying Austin– another favorite city. 🙂
Thank you, Jane!! We are actually moving in June- so I’m soaking up every last second here. I find myself just falling more in love with the city as our move comes closer-but also trying to make the most of it 🙂 Can’t wait to share how we like Austin too! Thanks so much.
Beautiful post, Jane
Thanks so much, friend. Happy you enjoyed these.
Awesome captures of light of the city at various times. The bridge partly covered by fog looks like it was floating..amazing view.
Thanks so much, YC. I am mesmerized by the fog around the bridge, as you can see. Glad you enjoyed these.
The moonset and the fog is a stunning pic! I’ve never taken a picture of the moon and have it turn out to look anything like what I was seeing.
Hi Emily, Thank you! The moon is challenging. In the winter in SF, it sets behind the Golden Gate – a favorite time for moon photos. I appreciate you stopping by and I’m glad you enjoyed these.
What a fabulous post and beautiful tribute to Ferlinghetti.
Thank you, Jane. This poem inspires me and I’m happy you enjoyed this pairing.
Wonderful San Francisco images! Love them … the fog and the bridge – just great!
Thank you, Petra. I’m so glad you enjoyed these– the fog creeping around the bridge is definitely a favorite scene! 🙂
Beautiful images around San Francisco, Jane. Really like that soft and warm light falling over Coit Tower. It stands tall and mighty. So much fog rolling past he Golden Gate Bridge too. They look like massive clouds 🙂
Hi Mabel, I’m pleased you enjoyed this homage to Ferlinghetti. His descriptions of the light, fog and colors of SF inspire me. The fog is especially dramatic at certain times of the year. Thanks so much for your response and I hope all is well in Melbourne– another fantastic city! 🙂
Beautiful images!
Thank you very much, Sylvia. 🙂
Beautiful photos, JAne! Absolutely stunning views.
Thanks very much, Isabel. I’m so glad you liked this collection. 🙂
Twilight and Coit Tower – Stunning! Beautiful example of light at its best.
Thanks, Tim. That was taken from SFAI while I was waiting for my class to begin. A most memorable evening!
Jane your welcome.
You’ve captured my curiosity as to why this was a most memorable evening. More than the photo?
Hi Tim, A combination of coming upon this amazing scene from the balcony of the SF Art Institute coupled with being in the midst of a terrific photography class to which I was heading. Inspiring all around. 🙂
Yes, that would create that feeling.
San Francisco has a special place in my heart, among it is the very different light, temperature and shapes. Beautifully captured , Jane
Thank you, Cornelia. I remember you telling me how much you enjoyed SF. It is very special for all the things you mentioned. Happy you enjoyed this post.
One of the prettiest cities in America!
Thank you, Eliza. I must agree with you there. And such fun to be a photographer here. 🤗
Your pictures perfectly captures the words of the poem. Your photos captured the SF light.
Thank you very much, Imelda. The light can be extraordinary here at times. Glad you enjoyed these.
I’m going to be in San Francisco in a couple of weeks, will keep an eye open for some island light!
How great, Andy! Perfect time for good weather coming in. We’ve had a much needed rainy winter. I hope you have a wonderful time and find lots of great light! Thanks so much for stopping by here. Don’t forget City Lights. 🙂
Beautiful cityscapes.
Thanks very much, Rabirius. Happy you enjoyed this collection. 🙂
When I was in the Peace Corps in Honduras in 1968 and 1969 I read Ferlinghetti’s A Coney Island of the Mind. By mail from Honduras I placed an order with City Lights Books, paid for with a check from a Honduran bank in lempiras, the country’s monetary unit. City Lights actually sent me the books.
I remember you telling me you had been in Honduras with the Peace Corps, Steve. Amazing that City Lights sent you the books. I bet Ferlinghetti would enjoy that story! Happy you enjoyed this post. Thank you.
Twilight and Coit Tower❤️
Thank you so much, Sharon. That was a memorable evening. 🙂
Wow. This is outstanding. Ferlinghetti’s words flow so gracefully with your photos. I love…’The light of San Francisco is a sea light…an island light.’ And your photos…the way they are meant for his words. Double Wow.
Hi Freddie, What a sweet response to this – thank you so much. This poem is a favorite and, I agree, his description of San Francisco is wonderful. It moves me to see these scenes when I am out there photographing. Your visit here is much appreciated. 🙂
Such wonderful aspects of your city. I can see the love, Jane 🙂 🙂
Thank you, Jo. It is felt every day. Happy you enjoyed this post. 🙂 🙂
Beautiful images coupled with his words. Hail, hail, Mr. Ferlinghetti. I hear that his new novel is just about out too.
I was in SF in 1996, my only time in the USA, upon invitation of our new friend Tasha. We were in LA and she said: “Oh I’m going to SF this weekend, you guys should come too. I’m flying there since I have my ticket yet, but you can come with my Subaru.” And so we did, along the coast. It was gorgeous. We went to the Wharf, danced to The Klezmatics in a club somewhere, went to a party of a writer opposite, in Oakland. It was brief, it felt like Vienna, Austria. I always thought I’d be back to California one day. Who knows.
HI Manja, What a wonderful memory! Glad these photos along with Ferlinghetti’s words evoked them. That ride up the coast is marvelous. (I am about to do it in a few days and it’s always a treat.) Yes, he has a new book out called, Little Boy. Thank you so much for your sharing your thoughts.
That brought a tear to the eye. When did he write that? Couldn’t have been 1919. Your photographs nicely illustrate every stanza. Thank you.
Hi Michael, I’m pleased you enjoyed this pairing. Thank you so much. I love this poem and the scenes it conjures in my mind. I appreciate the heads up on the date- indeed, that’s his birthdate. I amended it – it was written in 2000. 🙂
Whew! Otherwise he was extremely precious.
😀
Wonderful post
Thank you, Linda. Very happy you enjoyed it. 🙂