David Powell (or Powell, as many of us used to call him) was the best teacher I ever had, and changed my life in utterly profound ways. I can truly say that without his wisdom, guidance and utter faith in my abilities, I wouldn't be the writer/teacher I am today. I still have his deep voice on tape, sitting, I imagine in some comfy chair while he critiqued one or another installment of the 20 weekly pages I wrote in a summer fiction class. And I can still remember his love for Emily Dickinson's poetry, which he passed on to me. And I can still see him, biking around Olympia, riding and living with utter passion and ferocity. (...)