San Diego Poetry Annual 2015-2016: A Gathering of Poets at Bluestocking Books August 7th 2016

Delores Fisher (Bread and Cie Cafe San Diego, CA) pre-poetry reading

It's always an event to remember when you hang out with experienced San Diego poets. Of course when Olga Gutierrez-Garcia, editor of the bilingual volume of the San Diego Poetry Annual and author of "Dark Matters," and I recently decided to make time to talk about newest events in our busy lives, it was an added bonus to go to a poetry reading, especially readings by the select group  of poets chosen for one of San Diego's  premiere poetry publications, The San Diego Poetry Annual 2015-2016   https://sandiegopoetryannual.com/  

We try to sit down and hang out at least three times a year. I had completed lesson plans and was almost on the last week of teaching summer school with some pretty awesome, and cool students.

           International poet Olga Gutierrez-Garcia at Bread and Cie (San Diego CA)

Olga and I headed to Bread and Cie Cafe, had light salads and conversation. When she asked if  I would read an English translation of  the poem she was going to read, I panicked a little. I haven't been on the poetry scene in a "good minute" as the kids say, due to my teaching schedule.  So, we sat at our table and did a read through,practicing right there at the cafe. Olga chose a poem from the annual in Spanish with English translation, "Padre mijo y espiritu" by late poet Teresa Gonzalez-Lee. Our reading was dedicated in memory of the poet's memory.

After our rehearsal and contemplation, Olga and I walked around Hillcrest near the cafe to let dinner digest (and my nervousness settle) before the reading.

Arriving at Bluestocking books,    http://www.bluestockingbooks.com/  around 6:30, it was a joy to see quite a few area poets that I already knew. The crowd continued to arrive. Bluestocking books had an overflow crowd. The August 7th event  scheduled to start at 7:00 PM was amazing.

Bill Harding current editor of the San Diego Poetry Annual    

Our host for that evening was Jeffery Curran. He greeted all with a light-hearted banter. He is funny, intensely passionate about poetry and a  suave host. Jeffrey introduced each poet with a "rite of passage" inquiry. Our question before reading---"Who is your favorite superhero?"
 

                                         The host: Jeffery Curran

And, I have to admit, before the readings began, it was a joy to chat with several artist/poet/friends whom I haven't hung out with for a while. What a wonderful surprise to see activist/teachers Michael Ortega and one of the annual's editors, Jim Moreno.  http://www.eventsinusa.net/event-the-muse-the-mayor-san-diego-3006569

                                        Michael Ortega and Jim Moreno

Also reading was mentor to many young poets and artists, poet/teacher Chris Vannoy  http://sandiegodowntownnews.com/san-diegos-beat-street-poets/

                                               Poet Chris Vannoy

One of the poets selected for the San Diego Poetry Annual 2015-2016 is well known international visual artist Anna Zappoli-Jenkins 

                                                Artist/poet Anna Zapoli

Bill Harding will be handing over the editor duties to educator Prof. Black--also known to spoken word enthusiasts as "Ant Black": 

                                                                  "Ant" Black

Plans for the next San Diego Poetry Annual 2016-2017 are already in motion as poets, hosts, editors, and artists start another year of creativity. Poems for the English volume have been accepted from all over  North America, including Canada, and the bilingual volume is truly international, reaching all the way from Puerto Rico through South America: Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Europe: Sweden, Spain, Scotland.

                                    Bill Hardy and Olga Gutierrez-Garcia


San Diego Poetry Annual 2015-2016 readings at Blue Stockings Books was an inspirational sharing to remember, a gathering of poets. I feel like I am home again.

Back on stage,
Delores Fisher




































































Poets, poetry open mic hosts, graphic artists, musicians, editors,



and  if I wanted to have dinner and go to a poetry reading