Verse, and more, on sale at the Poem Store

Jacqueline Suskin writes a poem for a customer at her Poem Store at the Hollywood Farmers Market. “Part of the exercise is to get down immediately whatever comes to me,” she says. “They are like little mantras, little prayers that get handed out.”  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Jacqueline Suskin works on a poem entitled “The Otter & the Bear” for a couple at the Hollywood Farmers Market. She says she’s never been stumped by any of the titles or subjects her customers give her.   (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Jacqueline Suskin reads a poem she has just written for customer J.R. Mankoff. Suskin always asks if she can read her poems out loud because poetry is an oral art. Most of her customers agree, although sometimes they ask her to read very quietly. They lean in close to hear their poem above the din of the market. They almost always smile faintly. Sometimes they cry.  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Jacqueline Suskin reads aloud a poem she has just written for customers Samar Lachini, second from left, Ava Motamedi, center, Andie Kelin, second from right, and Fernando Garcia, right, all from Los Angeles. Lachini, a regular customer, wanted the poet to intuit something about Garcia, just from looking at him.   (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)