The San Diego Poetry Annual 2006
by
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Revolution of Flame
The first trouble was not
when
across brutal October lawns,
dry stubble mowed low
amidst chamise & ceanothus.
The first trouble was not the sparks
from an unknown tailpipe or cigarette.
Trouble came when
conquistadores took the flames
indigenous people gave
on foggy March mornings
every year of creation until
The cages of brush we built
burned in 2003, setting free
wild cucumber vines.
Who would believe white petals
set free by brown smoke or orange roars?
Who expected seldom seen vines
to embrace the burned earth first?
-Brandon Cesmat
When Ray Charles Checked Out
He could not escape the news reports
Of how he used women
Like dope
Had them, tossed them when done,
But the week he left his body
Remembered
The good and evil made --
Poor, blind and black in
Had the Boogie-woogie at an early age
Had the calling,
Wrapped in shades
Ray Charles leaned his body back
Tilted his head up
As if he’d turned his inward gaze on paradise
And sang
Swayed above the black and white
Wood and wire,
And for the short while
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About the Book
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This inaugural edition of The San Diego Poetry Annual features 101 poems written in 2006 by poets who live,study, work or who were born or raised in
Our aim in publishing the best poems we can find each year is to celebrate the rich diversity of talent found throughout our region. We looked for poems from all walks of life and on every subject. There were no restrictions, no taboos.
Featured poets, listed in bold face in the Table of Contents, anchor this effort and include some of our finest writers -- Steve Kowit, Sam Hamod, Megan Webster, California poet laureate Al Young and others – but it is the combined force of all the other poets that powers this book, mirroring both the eclectic nature of the San Diego poetry scene and its impressive collective energy.
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