After Dark
Poet’s Murmuration
October 24 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM @ The Exploratorum
Experience the magical sound of over 100 poets calling for justice and the balance of our planet.
What is the Poet’s Murmuration?
The Poetry Murmuration is our core in creating meaning for our ceremonies. We hire poets to drive our ceremony with original poetry dedicated to the elements and cardinal directions. Poets focus on one of five themes: Air/East/Children, Fire/South/Youth, Water/West/Adults, Earth/North/Ancestors, and Center/Love/Impermanence. Additional poets bring focus to our annual themes such as domestic violence, child abuse, gender equality, joy and resilience, creative imaginings, and mental health and happiness.
The Poet’s Murmuration is during After Dark at the Exploratorium
What to Expect
The After Dark Poet’s Murmuration is practiced annually at Day of the Dead SF, expanded into an immersive literary art experience where nearly one hundred poets joined together to read ceremonial poetry in tandem.
Live Performances
Live Poetry Readings
Cultural Ceremonies
Why We Do the
Poet’s Murmuration
The After Dark Murmuration is a sacred gathering, a prayer in motion, meant to connect us to the ancestors and the elements. As we come together, the murmuration becomes a living expression of unity, where our collective movements reflect the dance of the cosmos and the rhythm of nature.
This ritual is more than just a celebration—it is a way to honor the spirits of those who came before us, paying homage to their wisdom, strength, and enduring presence. Through the murmuration, we communicate with the ancestors, inviting their guidance, protection, and blessings as we journey forward. The act itself is a prayer, a call for balance and harmony between the physical and spiritual realms.
Become Part of the
Poet’s Murmuration
Poetry drives the core meaning of our ceremonies. We hire poets to create our ritual with original poems dedicated to the elements, directions, and ancestors. Poets focus on one of five themes: Air/East/Children, Fire/South/Youth, Water/West/Adults, Earth/North/Ancestors, and Center/Love/Impermanence. The overarching theme is MOTHER. Additional poets will highlight our recurring themes: domestic violence, child abuse, gender equality, joy and resilience, creative imaginings, mental health, and happiness.