Tanea Lunsford Lynx shines light on past-tense San Francisco

Tanea Lunsford Lynx joined us at Muni Diaries Live in April 2023 to perform I Used to Live Here, her poem evoking the magic of relatives living a mere Muni ride away, the otherworldly dimension between West Portal and Van Ness Stations, and the soothing something about 24-hour Church Street Safeway light. She was one of the San Francisco-born-and-raised artists featured in Muni Raised Me, an exhibit exploring what truly public transit means to those who depend on it—and are ultimately shaped by it.

Here’s Tanea:

Tanea, an artist and educator, gave me chills with her delivery and lyrical gift. She also left me hopeful that the city she “used to” live in and the characters she described can thrive in present-tense San Francisco, too.

You might remember Tanea from Muni Diaries podcast Eps. 140 and 141, featuring Tanea and her students at performing original poetry about our everyone’s favorite school bus. And don’t forget to check out Muni Raised Me co-curator Meymey Lee in Ep. 144.

Muni Diaries is 15 years old! Forget a birth-month, we’ve made it a birth-year. Join us Nov 2 for the festivities at a special Muni Diaries Live. Tickets are available now (but going fast!) on Eventbrite.

Photo by Emily Huston

9 comments

  • Paul Brian

    Tanea Lunsford Lynx’s evocative poetry beautifully captures the essence of San Francisco’s vibrant past, reminding us of the magic that still exists in the present. Come join us for a relaxing slope ball!

  • Malinda Schmeler

    Tanea Lunsford Lynx’s work beautifully captures the soul of San Francisco. Her poem brings back the familiar comforts and nostalgia of the city. Exploring local voices like hers helps us understand what shapes a community.

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  • Tanea Lunsford’s insights on San Francisco’s rich history are captivating! It’s fascinating how the past shapes the city’s current identity, much like how a simple game like flappy bird can evoke nostalgia while challenging players to navigate through obstacles. Both history and games encourage exploration and perseverance. I’d love to see more connections drawn between San Francisco’s landmarks and digital culture.

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  • Listening to Tanea in Live made the Cleveland Drywall Pros inspired. Thank you very much!

  • Eggy Car

    Tanea, your poem really resonated with me! That feeling of a quick Muni ride transporting you to a familiar, comforting space is so San Franciscan. It’s amazing how public transit can shape our memories and sense of place. I bet a lot of people can relate to those specific spots you mentioned. It even reminds me of those quirky indie games like Eggy Car where the environment subtly evokes familiar feelings even if it’s surreal. Beautifully done!

  • Wilma

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  • Such a beautiful and nostalgic piece Tanea’s poem captures the soul of San Francisco in a way only a native can. That line about the 24-hour Church Street Safeway light really hit home. After listening, I actually went over to SoundButtonsPro.com to find some ambient city sounds it’s a fun way to recreate those Muni memories through audio!

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