Star-quality poet

I first heard Kamau Daaoud [“No Ivory Tower Poet,” by Lynell George, April 16] perform his spellbinding poetry at a small reading in 1971 during Black History Week at the University of Southern California. It was the first poetry reading I ever attended, and Kamau remains the standard by which I’ve judged the hundreds of poets I’ve heard and read over the years.

As any poet, Super Bowl quarterback, celebrity crook, astronaut or belly dancer who’s had the misfortune of performing after Kamau on stage will tell you, he is an awesome, towering talent. In a world of media-manufactured, 15-minute “stars” and “divas,” it’s good to see a true artist like Kamau begin to get the kind of mainstream recognition and exposure he has long deserved.

Willie Sims

Lake View Terrace