Albert Flynn DeSilver is the CEO/director of Visiting Angels Senior Homecare & Respite in Santa Rosa, which he founded with his wife, Marian Cremin, LCSW, in 2007.
He’s also an internationally published poet, writer and teacher who’s currently serving as Marin County’s very first Poet Laureate. For his tenure as Poet Laureate, with artist Todd Pickering, DeSilver created the Marin Poetry Chair, an actual chair made out of poetry books, which he’s taking to host readings at community and senior centers, book stores, malls, beaches and various poetic “happenings.”
So how does he find time to balance these two very diverse aspects of his life? “Honestly, it’s been a bit challenging,” he admits, “but just this year, I took Tuesdays as my ‘Poetry Day’ so I can write—I’m working on two new book projects, a new book of poems and a memoir—as well as continually attending to my Poet Laureate duties, which requires organizing and participating in a lot of wonderful community events.”
What did you think you were going to be when you were in college?
Mostly I thought I was going to be a confused human for the rest of my life. But then I discovered the arts and photography, so for a split second I thought I might be a photographer. I went to the University of Colorado as an undergrad, where I received a BFA in photography—and then on to the San Francisco Art Institute for my MFA in “New Genres,” which, for me, meant anything and everything. I made photographs, paintings, installations, videos and word art. I never “studied” poetry and writing formally. I’ve just always been a serious reader, and I practice my writing like one practices piano or medicine.
What got you interested in poetry?
One evening when I was at the Art Institute, poet and art history professor Bill Berkson suggested I attend a poetry reading, which I had never done before, at the Cowell Theater in San Francisco. It blew my mind and changed the course of my life! I started writing that night and have never turned back.
Do you have a big family?
Visiting Angels is really an extended family, because we’re so relationship-oriented with our clients and their families as well as with the office staff and our “angel” caregivers. But in the traditional sense, it’s my wife, Marian, and Jupiter the dog. We have tons of nephews and nieces, and we travel a lot to spend time with them.
What do you love to do outside of work?
Besides write and read, I backpack, backcountry ski, mountain bike, swim, eat fabulous food with great friends, spend time listening to children and sit in silence in wild places.
Are you more of a rule breaker or a rule keeper?
Breaker by a long shot, because it’s the gateway to freedom, possibility and innovation.
How comfortable are you with uncertainty?
I live in it and by it every day. At Visiting Angels, we’re dealing with families in crisis, confronting illness and death every day. We’re their ground, their peace of mind, their guidance and support! As a poet, I never know what I’m going to write; I’m inventing a new universe in language every time I sit down to write.
What advice can you give to help people conquer fear?
Face it, study it, know it, feel it deeply in yourself…and then take action anyway!
What do you think heaven is like?
Have you ever had a hot stone massage? Or skied in three feet of fresh powder in the mountains of Utah? Or looked your young niece or nephew in the eye as they told you they loved you, and then, in a wash of inspired love, told them you loved them, too?
Describe your favorite relative.
My cousin Andreas, or “Bundini,” as he’s affectionately known, is a terrific drummer who’s played in several bands in New Orleans and he’s an investment banker. He’s an excellent musician and a sweet soul who understands that we can do both in life—have a satisfying creative outlet and make a great living.
Do you live by any motto or rule?
The Dalai Lama says, “My religion is kindness.” I’m not much for religion, but anything as simple and complete as that—sign me up. Also, the great American poet Carl Sandburg said, “Poetry is an echo asking a shadow to dance.” I’ll live by that mysterious and beautifully weird “motto” any day.
