Women of a Certain Age Read Poems on Sex and Death

Co-presented with Left Margin Lit and Vintage Berkeley

In her poem “Morning Swim,” Maxine Kumin defies societal expectations that sexuality is exclusively for the young. Sex and death are central human concerns, but older women poets often find themselves silenced or sidelined on the first of these subjects. Here, five women aged from mid-40s to late 60s—Zeina Hashem Beck, Susan Browne, Danusha Lameris, Rebecca Foust, and Keetje Kuipers—will share frankly erotic work that refuses to be muted or mooted and makes a bulwark of bodily sensuality against death, time, and our aging selves. After the reading, emceed by award-winning author Susie Bright, participants will take questions from the audience about the challenges and rewards of writing poems like these in this and any time. Winemaker Terah Bajjalieh will be on site to introduce Terah Wine Company wines, which will be available for purchase by the glass. This event will take place on Vintage Berkeley's secret garden patio—dress accordingly! Pay what you can to guarantee a seat; FREE to walk ups space depending.

Book sales for this event coordinated by Pegasus Books

Host or Publisher Litquake, San Francisco's Literary Festival