Norman Fischer is a poet and Zen Buddhist priest who is currently a Senior Dharma Teacher at the San Francisco Zen Center.  Active among Bay Area poets since the 70’s, he has written many collections of poetry, including, most recently,  Slowly But Dearly (2004) and I Was Blown Back (2005).  Other poetry titles include Like a Walk Through a Park, On Whether or Not To Believe in Your Mind, The Devices, Turn Left in Order to Go Right, The Narrow Roads of Japan, and Success.  His poetry has been noted for its humor, off-beat spiritual insight, and variety.   Of his work Charles Bernstein has written, “incandescently tranquil, the writing of Norman Fischer refuses to confront or confirm, preferring to give company along the way.”  Fischer is also the author of a number of books about Zen Buddhism