“Let shadows of quiet and silence on all my palace fall.” These are the poignant words etched into the Poet’s Corner Stone, a hidden gem in Ina Coolbrith Park. This is a quiet place offering lovely lookout points. The Poet’s Corner is not widely known even by many San Franciscans.
Founded in 1911 the park is named after Ina Coolbrith. She was a prominent San Francisco writer. More importantly, she was California’s first Poet Laureate. The park’s location is significant. It stands just a block from Coolbrith’s former home. Sadly, that home was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire.
In 1919 Coolbrith established the Ina Coolbrith Circle. This group of literary enthusiasts shares poetry. They work to keep California-related literature alive. In 1984, the Circle established the Poet’s Corner we see today. The group continues its work even now.
Here at Poet’s Corner, views abound. You can see downtown, Coit Tower, the Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz Island. You can see some nice gardening too.
However there is another Poet’s Corner in Sausalito. It’s a memorial to Daniel O’Connell. He was an Irish writer and poet. O’Connell lived in Sausalito. He worked for the San Francisco Chronicle in the late 1800s. O’Connell came to California in 1868. He was only 19 years old. He lived with his wife and seven children. From all accounts O’Connell was both a respected writer and a likable guy.
O’Connell was part of a literary circle. It included Bret Hart, Samuel Clemens, Joaquin Miller, and Jack London. He was a creative spirit and a lively raconteur. Also, he was one of the founders of San Francisco’s Bohemian Club. His presence was said to make every occasion a “Roman feast.”
Legend says that James W. Coleman built a cottage in 1886. Coleman was President of the North Pacific Coast Railroad Company. The railroad brought the first rail line into Sausalito in 1875. Coleman loaned the cottage to O’Connell. The glen where it was built was later called “O’Connell’s Glen”.
O’Connell died suddenly at Laurel Lodge. It was from a cold that turned into pneumonia. The bench at Poet’s Corner is inscribed with his final poem. It is called “Chamber of Sleep.” He finished it about ten days before his death.
William Greer Harrison knew O’Connell. He described him as a poet, litterateur, athlete, humorist, and Bohemian. Harrison said O’Connell’s good humor was inexhaustible. His nature was sunny. Also, his temper was exceptionally sweet. Beneath the humor was a strong, deep, and reflective nature. The cares of ordinary life passed him by.
So, as you stand here at Poet’s Corner Stone remember the echoes of creativity. Feel the weight of literary history. And let the inspiring views fuel your own poetic soul.