Heather Saunders Estes

Heather Saunders Estes ( She/They) has lived in San Francisco for over ten years. After living in small towns in New England and Upstate New York she move to the Bay Area which has been home for 47 years. When they left the long-term job as CEO of Planned Parenthood Northern California, Heather began to write poetry intensively. Poetry helps us all look closely and carefully, explore and listen

Heather’s third book “All in Measure: A Book of Hours, 2020-2023” was just published in January, 2023 by Blue Light Press. It explores living a cloistered life with three others during the pandemic. It is inspired by Medieval Books of Hours for their attention to praise, and the cycle of life and death.

Her second book, “Cloudbreak” was published June, 2021 by Poetic Matrix Press. It is a book of poems about appreciation and transition. Her feminist perspective and sense of social justice from her work in reproductive health is also part of this collection.

Her first book of “Inner Sunset” celebrates the joy of life and the natural and created world, recognizing that all must change. Gardening is a pleasure for her even though she can not grow tomatoes in the San Francisco fog. Kale, lemons, and all kinds of herbs and native plants love the cool weather.The artist marvelous watercolor on the book’s cover is Douglas Gorney, who can be found on Facebook. He specializes in the art of the Sunset district of San Francisco.

She lives with her professor husband Fred Estes, who is also a writer. His newest book, “Teen Innovators—Nine Young People Engineering a Better World with Creative Inventions” was recently published September 2022. His first book, “Turning Research Into Results” can also found on Amazon.Their adult daughter lives with them since the start of the pandemic along with a family friend. Learn more about their days together in the pandemic in “All in Measure.”

Heather’s poetry can also be found in journals and in anthologies. A poem from Heather’s time with abortion services just appeared “Rumors Secrets & Lies” Anhinga Press. Four recent poems can be found in “ Fog and Light: San Francisco through the Eyes of the Poets Who Live Here.”

Please see Heather’s website for more information as well as monthly poems. www.heathersaundersestes.com and follow her on facebook @ H.S.Estes.