Dorsetta Hale

Appointed Pacifica Poet Laureate from 2014-2017, Dorsetta Hale launched the “Poems on the Devil’s Slide Ride” program featuring printed poems by selected Bay Area poets, in partnership with the City of Pacifica, Pacifica Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. She wrote and read her poetry for CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse) for their various events, and provided presentations throughout the community, including schools, libraries and events.

Poem on Belonging

KEYBOARD PLAYERS

My sugar man
turns raw
golden brown
when the sun
shines hot
Hair
dark as my skin
I miss his thin lips
whenever he grins

Forgive me forefathers
I knew not what to do
I didn’t see his color
when he said the words
I love you

Copyright © 2022 by Dorsetta Hale. Used with permission of the author.

Poet Laureate Project

Appointed by the Council of the City of Pacifica, Dorsetta Hale served as Poet Laureate from 2014 to 2017.

Dorsetta’s community project, “Poems on the Devil’s Slide Ride,” featured printed poems by selected Bay Area poets, in partnership with the City of Pacifica, Pacifica Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.