If you dare, please join Poets at the Bench for our monthly poetry reading. Anyone in the mood for E. A. Poe? or the dark side of Emily Dickenson? Or perhaps someone still living, such as, Kathryn Ptacek, Chad Stroup, both horror poets. What raises the hair on the back of your neck? Read your own poems, or poems by a favorite poet. Poems, prose, short stories, all styles are appreciated. We sit in a circle, and take turns reading one poem each. Please bring more than one poem to share, as we each have at least two, sometimes 3, turns to read. Find a spot on the bench, bring a blanket or folding chair and sit on our carpet of leaves. Poetry Bench readings are free, no sign-up sheet, no microphone, no critiques. Readings at the Poetry Bench are open to all poets and is a safe place to share your work and enjoy a hidden corner of our beloved Balboa Park. Location: the Poetry Bench is on the west end of Balboa Park, north of the Laurel Street Bridge. The clay bench is outside, near the intersection of Quince and 6th Avenue, north of the bridge. Balboa Drive and 6th Avenue run parallel to one another. A playground is to the north and Quince is just south of the bench.