“CALIFORNIA VILLANELLE,” BY DEAN RADER
Dean Rader adapts a classic poetry form for “a land of great contradictions.”
“MAY GRAY,” BY JIA-RUI COOK
Los Angeles’s cloud cover over the coast inspires a poem about a passing moment.
“THE WARRIORS. NEVER COUNT THEM OUT,” BY ISHMAEL REED
Draymond is suspended and Steph looks tired, but don’t bet against the best team in basketball.
“SELF-PORTRAIT IN PARKED RED CAMARO,” BY CYNTHIA CRUZ
A car, powdered milk, a man with a cane, and Saint Paul emerge in this poem on the verge of clarity.
“THE EASTSIDE OF ALL EASTSIDES,” BY LUIS J. RODRIGUEZ
Poet Luis J. Rodriguez honors Los Angeles’s “most colorful and character-filled area.”
“TACO TRUCKS, EVERY CORNER,” BY MATT SEDILLO
Matt Sedillo begins with a tortilla, covers Mexican and Chicano history, and ends with a taco.
“DEPARTMENT OF QUIET PHENOMENA,” BY LEIGH LUCAS
Leigh Lucas pens a love poem to the Bay Area and to her partner.
“NDN HEARTBREAK SONG,” BY KINSALE DRAKE
The poet finds laughter and tears after a relationship ends.
“TRESPASS,” BY CMARIE FUHRMAN
CMarie Fuhrman reflects on the enduring struggles of Native people.
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“TEACHINGS,” BY DEBORAH A. MIRANDA
Spurred by cultural appropriation, Deborah A. Miranda provides a lesson in poetry form.•
