Carolyn Jones (San Francisco Chronicle): "David Bromige, a mentor to hundreds of young poets and known for his generous spirit and impeccable syntax, died June 3 at his home in Sebastopol, CA. He was 75 . . . Mr. Bromige, a retired creative-writing professor at Sonoma State University, had suffered from diabetes and complications of a stroke and heart attack . . . 'He was brilliant, funny, emotional, unpredictable, impulsive and very warm,' said colleague Gerald Rosen, a San Francisco novelist. 'He knew as much about contemporary poetry as anyone in the world' . . ."
"What do we know. It ceases,
others come to see as much as we.
Those stars are me,
these sounds. Tears blur
& bring them to a field of points."
-- "Still There," Desire: Selected Poems 1963-1987
As many IOWers know, David Bromige's Canadian connections run deep; and, although belated, I am sure it will provide some small comfort to his wife (Cecelia Belle) and children (Margaret and Chris) to learn we join together to extend our heartfelt regrets and condolences. On the memorial blog created to celebrate the life and work of the "poet, writer, reviewer, actor, farmer, explorer, cartographer, storyteller, illustrator, piano player, driver, swimmer, traveler, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, husband, friend, mentor, [and] inspiration," readers will discover a wealth of "memories, thoughts, impressions and opinions" as well as links to tributes and remembrances alongside details concerning the July 5th Celebratory Afternoon at Ragle Road Ranch near downtown Sebastopol, CA (to which all who knew the unassuming titan or his splendidly crafted and sublimely shaped body of work are warmly invited).
RIP, David Bromige, an extraordinary poet and human being whose work will live forever (thanks, in no small part, to the laudable efforts of PennSound's directors, Charles Bernstein and Al Filreis).
