In essential things, unity; in nonessential things, liberty.
In all things compassion.
Luis J. Rodriguez
That's Luis J. Rodriguez, the Poet Laureate of Los Angeles. I attended a wonderful evening of poetry this evening at my neighborhood bookstore, Chevalier's. I wasn't familiar with Rodriguez, but now I am, and I had the distinct sense that he is beloved. His poetry was funny and startling and made me glad to live in this town. Suzanne Lummis and Nicelle Davis read and performed as well, and there was laughter and wryness and deep sighs. Being at our little bookstore with so many people who love poetry right here in the city of angels made me glad. Glad. What a weird, muscular word.
It's raining.
