“I arrived in the Fillmore neighborhood of San Francisco in September 1978, following the woman I’m still lucky enough to love. I had dreams of being a poet.
I am very proud of this new poetry book, The Roshi, published by Norfolk Press. It is a collection of poems many of which, are written about San Francisco from a tour guide perspective. I hope you enjoy it.”

— Mark J. Mitchell

STRAY

All day I listen
to the Roshi. Outside,
a cat sleeps
on the greenhouse roof.

CASIDA OF THE WILD PARROT

Wild parrot
escaping his home hill
leaving flocks behind
looking for his name.

Wild parrot
poison green and still
on a steeple waiting chimes
that might speak his name.

Wild parrot
restless on a windowsill
reflected trapped in time
repeating your name.

SAN FRANCISCO

Complicated lovers feel their breath leave
like missing letters on a red tide.
This is the last city you will ever need.