SAN FRANCISCO BLUES

Written on 05/26/2026
Poetic Outlaws

By: A.D. Winans

Photo: Patrick Stevens
Iran, Iraq, Libya

Africa, ethnic cleansing

Bill Gates, Donald Trump
And the Pope
All selling their own brand of dope

A mayor who is a joke
A bus system that doesn’t work

Head cases walking the street
Punk Rockers with rainbow hair
Women with pierced genitals
Ginseng for tired blood

My illusions are fighting a duel
With my delusions

The last time I picked up
A white courtesy telephone
The voice on the other end was mine

The dates on my calendar are blank

The pinball machine has no flippers
There’s no prize in my crackerjack box

My radio plays nothing but commercials
My hand holds my cock in contempt
My love life is an unread resume
With one too many references

I had a dream
I was a gunrunner

Trading hardware for software

I want my photo on a cereal box
Not a milk carton

The IRS is a legal shake down
The Pentagon a slaughterhouse

Jack the Ripper sliced and diced
His way through London Town
And he wasn’t even a chef

Freud was impotent
But put on a good show

Monks know the truth
But won’t share it

You know you’re in trouble

When your shrink deals in fantasies
And leaves you with his reality

My life has become a distraction
No addition and subtractions

When it becomes an abstraction
I’ll know I’ve found success

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A.D. Winans, born on October 31, 1936, is an American poet associated with the San Francisco Beat and small press poetry scenes. He has been a prolific writer, editor, and publisher, contributing significantly to the literary landscape.

Winans was born in San Francisco, California, and grew up in the city. His early exposure to the vibrant literary and artistic community in San Francisco played a crucial role in shaping his poetic sensibilities. In the 1960s, he became part of the Beat Generation and was associated with notable figures such as Jack Micheline, Bob Kaufman, and Charles Bukowski.

Throughout his career, Winans has written and published numerous collections of poetry, often exploring themes of urban life, social issues, and the human condition. His work is known for its raw and honest expression, reflecting the influences of the Beat movement.

In addition to his own writing, A.D. Winans has been involved in the small press publishing scene, championing the works of emerging poets and contributing to the promotion of alternative and independent literature. He founded the Second Coming Press, a small press that published works by various poets.

A.D. Winans’ contributions to poetry and the literary community have earned him recognition and respect among his peers. His work continues to be celebrated for its authenticity, capturing the essence of the countercultural movements that emerged in San Francisco during the mid-20th century.