Ode in prose to a Modesto poet

I applaud the appointment of Ed Bearden as new Modesto poet laureate, but write to salute our most recent poet laureate, Sam Pierstorff, who has really put Modesto on the map. He is hardly retired with his ongoing Slam on Rye poetry event at the Prospect Theatre Project, still going every second Wednesday of every month but July, and the Ill List IV Invitational Poetry Slam usually held in December at the State Theatre.

Few poets I know can share and spread poetry as well as Sam. I thank The Bee for printing some of his poetry and hope to find the new poet laureate's work in your pages. I understand Sam is working on a novel and attending with merit to his students at Modesto Junior College.

JAMES CHRISTIANSEN

Modesto