Reflecting on the Year in Poetry

Melinda Palacio, Santa Barbara Poet Laureate 2023-2025

As we approach the final days of 2025, I am looking back at the year’s highlights. February began with acclaimed poet Naomi Shihab Nye’s 7^th visit to Santa Barbara. This was my first time seeing her in person; it was wonderful, uplifting, and inspiring. April is always important because it is National Poetry Month. I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Scott Green with California State Parks in bringing Poetry in Parks to Santa Barbara. The Presidio happens to be the only state park in Santa Barbara. That meant we were able to use the stage and present, music, poetry, and dance. I love it when I can bring together my interests in dance and music to poetry presentations. Next year’s Poetry in Parks will take place April 18, this time in the Presidio Chapel. Save the date.

Somos Xicanas, Jesnia Chávez, Melinda Palacio, Lorna Dee Cervantes, Brenda Vaca

May was a special month because I received a Woman of Achievement award through the Association of Women in Communications Santa Barbara. I also received a plaque, commemorating my work with the Essay and Poetry Awards for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara. And a young poet named me a role model at her school's citizenship breakfast to honor community leaders. 

In the Fall, I had the pleasure of participating in the Tahoe Literary Festival on two panels, including an all poets laureate panel. Another highlight was reading at the Beyond Baroque, hosted by West Hollywood Poet Laureate Jen Cheng. It was a reading that featured Jose Enrique Medina’s book launch for his award-winning Haunt Me. This reading was rounded out by power houses Luivette Resto and Cynthia Alessandra Briano. The year was also marked by readings for Somos Xicanas from Riot of Roses Press, one of which included lowriders at the Santa Barbara Public Library.

Jen Cheng, Jose Erique Medina, Melinda Palacio, Cynthia Alessandra Briano, Luivette Resto

The year capped off with Enid Osborn’s gorgeous poetry collection: Pedregosa St, from Sheila-Na-Gig Editions, one of my favorite books of the year. This was the last poetry book I read in 2025. It made me fall in love with Santa Barbara all over again. It also inspired me to work a little harder at getting my next poetry book published. Reyna Grande's Migrant Heart, essays arrived just before the new year ended and it will be my first read of the year. Looking forward to it. My New Year’s Resolution is to see my two manuscripts become tangible books. I am visualizing a new poetry book and a novel. 

 

*an earlier version of this column was published in the Santa Barbara Independent