Alta publishes work from acclaimed West Coast poets meant to inspire and reveal insights into life across California and the West. Here are four poems from 2019, which include titles by a father and his daughter, a reflection on creativity and prison, and an examination of marriage. To borrow a line from Luis J. Rodriguez, we hope “the blood” of these poems “is what flows in all art, stages, films, books.”
This poem by Katie Peterson appears in her book A Piece of Good News. Peterson’s honors include the Howard Mumford Jones Prize, the New Issues Poetry Prize, and the Rilke Prize.
YOUNG SUH
Paul Bowles
By Katie Peterson
A new poem by Ishmael Reed. His latest honors include the Alberto Dubito Award for International Poetry and the AUDELCO award for theaterre.
JASON HENRY
Pluato and Luca Walk Into a Bar
By Ishmael Reed
Tennessee Reed is the author of six books of poetry, including City Beautiful, Airborne, and Electric Chocolate.
Like an Old Friend Whom You Had Given Up for Dead Rain Returns to Oakland
By Tennessee Reed
Luis J. Rodriguez was the poet laureate of Los Angeles from 2014 to 2016. He’s the author of eight books of poetry and the founding editor of Tia Chucha Press.
ARLENE MEJORADO
Make a Poem Cry
By Luis J. Rodriguez
