The weighted words, the strummed banjo chords, and the good-natured laughter swirled round amidst the churns of groaning coffee machines and filtered street noise like the foam swirled round the top of a latte. The mellow lighting shone down from above with the warmth of a fire, creating a scene of openness and camaraderie.

It was poetry reading night on January 19 at E Street Café, a gathering of local Encinitan troubadours and minstrels sharing their tales for the coffee crowd to hear.

From readings of enlightenment and equality, to rhythms of power and beauty beat on the side of a guitar, E Street Café became a sanctuary of creativity.As an observer of sorts, with nothing of my own to offer, I anticipated awkwardness. What I found was completely different. Everyone there had something to offer. Even if not written down on paper, the audience gave the speaker a place in their thoughts and the attention of their ears.

I found the performances to be eclectic, to say the least. My personal favorite being Starfish who sang and played on the banjo a song of tiger girls, followed by a reading of falling for a porn star. I think it speaks for itself.

Performers were mathematicians, musicians, and even a few of our own SDA-ans. (Props to them; they were brilliant). The readings were inspiring, and I know more than a few people who went home to scribble scattered stanzas in their notebooks.

While some might turn their noses up at the “amateur” poetry, I found the sentiments expressed heartfelt and beautiful in their own way.

The next poetry night at E Street Café is on March 7th. Also coming up is a San Diego Indie fest on March 12 and 13 where they will be.