POETS’ CORNER

Carolyn See’s survey of the recent week-long L.A. Poetry Festival (Feb. 24) was a long-overdue acknowledgement of the rich and varied group of contemporary poets who write in and of Los Angeles.

As one who has felt blitzed over the years by the incessant message that culture in America is something that happens only on the East Coast, I have enjoyed unlearning that myth in the process of discovering the work of Southland poets.

I was, however, disappointed to note that the author overlooked two accomplished local poets who were also instrumental in organizing the Festival: Suzanne Lummis and Charles Webb. Lummis served as the director of the festival, is also a playwright whose works have been produced in local theaters. Webb, a member of the coordinating committee for the festival, was instrumental in defining and publicizing “Stand Up Poetry” as a distinct, L.A.-based art form.

GEROME G. TORRIBIO, WEST COVINA