Thursday, May 16, 2013
Joan and I visited the poetry open mic scene together in the mid 90's here in San Diego. She would invite me over, cook a wonderful vegetarian dinner and then we would go out to hear and recite poetry. When she would read her poems the room would grow silent, like a forest in winter, as the audience was mesmerized by her words, her themes, her images, her message, as I was mesmerized by the artful way she lived her life.
Once she fashioned a beautiful wooden floor with her carpentry skills and then argued with the landlord when he didn't like the change. She was fierce when she defended aesthetics.
We stayed in touch over the years and I considered her one of my most trusted friends. If she had been into self-promotion her poetry would have been more visible and more awarded.
I wanted to offer my deep condolences to her family. Your mom/grandma was a strongly moral, deeply talented renaissance woman who daily kept you in her thoughts and her heart. When we offered grace before meals she always prayed for you, especially her grandson Wiley, who I hope I might have the privilege of meeting some day.
Respectfully, Jim Moreno
