Dear Carolyn
It’s no big deal on the universal scale, but I am the South Pasadena City Librarian in Los Angeles County, California and an Advisory Committee member of the California Office of Poets & Writers, Inc. But I am not writing to tell you about myself, but rather to thank you for your generous donation of your books to the South Pasadena Public Library. They are very beautiful and well-written. We are honored to have your books in our collection.
I am a friend and associate of Al Young, former two-time California Poet Laureate, and Gary Snyder, one of the most-acclaimed American poets of our time.
Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel, who was called “The Walt Whitman of California” when she passed away over a year ago was one of my dearest friends and I started her official website a couple of years before she left us. A few years ago I co-edited a book with nationally-known poets Molly Fisk and Steve Sanfield called OPEN TO ALL: WHAT THE LIBRARY MEANS TO ME that also featured Anne Lamott, Ray Bradbury, Peter Collier, Utah Phillips, David Mas Masumoto, Gerald Haslam, and many more.
Nevertheless, I think your poetry compares very favorably with the best of the best. Please let me know if you might have any questions or comments. Attached is my business card for your convenience.
Best regards
Steve Fjeldsted
City Librarian
South Pasadena Public Library
