The latest in the David Lehman edited series has an excellent introduction by Lehman focused on Shelley’s The Defence of Poetry, Richard Blanco’s inaugural poem, the controversy between Adrienne Rich (who died in 2012) and Harold Bloom (who appears to be immortal), and finally a Vietnamese protest poet, Nguyen Chi Thien who also died in 2012.  Lehman continues to argue for the power of poetry and its impact on the world.  His selection of Duhamel as editor is further evidence of this.  I didn’t and still don’t know her work, but her introduction is a no-nonsense call to arms frequently spiced with the F-word and finding connections between many of the poems’ form, content, and specific words.  I didn’t like many of her selections, but managed to find many fine poems.  Also enjoyed reading the bios which emphasized the university base from which many of these poets work.  A favorite was Why I Write Poetry by Major Jackson a professor at UVM and the editor of the Harvard Review.  Some of the old standbys include Ashbery, Codrescu, Collins, Gluck, Laux, Rich, Ruefle, Tate, and Wilbur.  Some of the new ones are editors of prior Best annuals—Amy Gestler (2010), David Wagoner (2009), and Kevin Young (2011).