Poolside Poets

This book is a compilation of poets from the Poolside Poets series by Decentered Arts that ran from 2023-2025 in San Francisco. Poolside Poets began the way many good things do: with two friends, a dream, and a gap in the scene. We wanted something immersive and magnetic, where live music and movement met a stage filled with intersectional voices. A poetry night for people who didn't think they liked poetry. We've featured 130 poets (105 of whom submitted to this anthology), 19 music acts, 18 host/curators, and 10 dancers. Each month, two rotating hosts curated the lineup, we often paired an experienced host with a first-timer to teach the art of hosting, creating more community builders. This structure keeps curation fresh and community-rooted. Poet laureates and seasoned writers share the stage with poets reading at their first curated show. We wanted everyone to see themselves onstage: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Immigrant, First Gen, Youth, Elders, and folks from all walks of life, in fact a majority of performers are BIPOC. The result: dynamic evenings where audiences and performers savor every word. As you turn these pages, you'll encounter the voices that filled those unforgettable nights. We invite you to dive in, linger, and let these poems pull you poolside.