[Alexandra Baez]

Oh, dear. My acquaintance with David was actually through Sonnet Central, which I found and joined some years before the Sphere (I learned of the Sphere there, and by the time I began participating on this site, I don't remember seeing much of him here). To my perception, he was one of the handful of iconic heavy hitters there, so I was delighted to find myself able to resonate so naturally with his work (since prevailing tastes and mine don't often line up too squarely). I found his approach lyrical and anchored in tradition in a way that had (and has) become increasingly rare, even in formal poetry, so it was encouraging and refreshing to me that he seemed to have found broad acceptance, at least among fellow formal poets. What's more, his conscientious craftsmanship and personal dignity set a great example for all.

More recently, several years ago, I connected with him there one on one when I was trying to get a technical website question answered. Considering who he was (and who I wasn't!), I was quite surprised at how humbly, affably, and thoroughly he responded--how much he tried to help little old me. I've recently launched an effort to collect contemporary formal poetry books, so I certainly must get hold of his collection now. I am sorry to hear of the passing of this great poet and man.