Al Young

Al Young (1939-2021) was a writer and teacher whose many books include novels, collections of poetry, essays, memoirs, and anthologies. In 2005, he was named Poet Laureate of California. Young often read to musical accompaniment, and his poetry reflected his interest in music, specifically jazz and blues, as well as his life in California.

For Poets

Stay beautiful

but don’t stay down underground too long

Don’t turn into a mole

or a worm

or a root

or a stone

Come on out into the sunlight

Breathe in trees

Knock out mountains

Commune with snakes

& be the very hero of birds

Don’t forget to poke your head up

& blink

Think

Walk all around

Swim upstream

Don’t forget to fly

— Al Young