Poetry Connection: Connecting with Poets of Different Generations

Melinda Palacio

 Earlier this month, David Starkey, Santa Barbara Poet Laureate from 2009-2011, hosted his semi-annual poetry series at the Goleta Valley Library August 4. Given that it was the last day of Fiesta, it was nice to see a full house. I was honored to read with a lineup that showcased four different generations of Santa Barbara County poets. Library technician Craig Clevenger is thrilled to have the series at the Goleta Valley Library. “I am truly moved by the participation and attendance at these events,” he said. “That such a thriving community for poetry is alive and well here is proof that Santa Barbara is a bright pin in the literary map.”

 

Musician and Vietnam Veteran, Ruben Lee Dalton read from his book of poetry, Broken Bottles, a book that was published four years ago, during the pandemic. As many authors whose books were released during covid lockdown, it’s tough to figure out how to relaunch a book. Dalton’s first reading and presentation of Broken Bottles was on David Starkey’s television show, the Creative Community. When I asked the poet about his plans for a relaunch of his book, he nodded and mentioned he was thinking about it. His poems speak about fatherhood and human nature and the natural world. His poems about being a combat veteran are some of the best examples of that genre. I look forward to seeing more events surrounding this important poetry collection. 

 

While Dalton was our eldest poet, I represented the next generation or the Gen X group. My set of poems dealt with more contemporary political issues, such as the Dobbs decision, Black Lives Matter, and the border, specifically my poem that reimagines the legend of La Llorona. I had some friends in the audience who I hadn’t seen in over fifteen years. I read some older poems that I usually don’t read. 

 

Putting a set together is important to me. We all have attended poetry readings where the poet is not prepared and is flipping through their books and pages, trying to decide which poem to read. This causes the audience to lose their interest, however much they adore the poet. It’s important to respect the audience and to prepare a set. And, it’s always good to have a few extra poems prepared in case you are allotted extra time. 

 

I usually have a guitar or ukulele with me and if I am the only reader, I might plan on playing a song. At the library, because there were four readers, I left my instruments at home. It turned out I could have played a tune. A traffic incident caused two of our poets to be delayed and our host invited me to read a little longer. I was glad I had extra poems, but regretted that the one time I had left my guitar at home was when I could have used it. A lesson learned. Always be prepared. 

 

Next, our soon-to-be college student and Youth Poet Laureate, Jasmine Guerrero Sevilla arrived and read her poems. Last month’s guest column, featured an interview of Jasmine by Cie Gumicio. Jasmine writes effectively and lyrically in both English and Spanish. I am glad that her voice is being celebrated. Starting college at Sacramento State and a turn as Santa Barbara’s Youth Poet Laureate seems daunting, but after meeting her, I am sure she will excel at both. 

 

Our youngest reader was 10-year-old poet Soe Bender. With two parents who are writers, it’s no wonder Soe is already being published in this year’s California Poets in the Schools 2024 State Anthology. She was inspired to write her first poem when she was 8 years old after reading Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai. I wanted to know what she liked about writing poetry. She said, “I like that I can express my feelings through the rhythm of the words.” She reads her work with authority and energy. She is an impressive child and poet. 

 

This week’s poem comes from Soe Bender. 

 

 

 

I Am From…

 

By Soe Bender

 

I am from the sound of my dad, strumming his guitar,

music echoing through the walls

 

I am from the warmth of the sun and the patter of the rain on my face

When I step outside each day

 

I am from the pots clanging in the kitchen

Garlic and spices drifting through the air all around

 

I am from my first word, my first step, my first hug

Memories I will never forget

 

I am from laughs and smiles from my family and friends

That can cheer up any sad day

 

I am from the soft waves lapping against my feet

As my heels dig into the sun-kissed sand

 

I am from the snowy mountains

 

I am from the rolling hills

 

I am from everything that has made me happy or sad

Because all those things are apart of me

 

 

Soe Bender lives in Santa Barbara with her mom, dad, brother and dog, Cosmo. She spends most of her time drawing, writing, and painting. She enjoys listening to K-pop music and loves to express her creativity in different ways. 

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

Santa Barbara’s Vaccine: a County Failure

 Melinda Palacio 

The Santa Barbara Independent reported that a 92-year-old undocumented woman was turned away from receiving a vaccine because she couldn’t produce a photo ID. Could they really not tell that this poor abuelita is over the age of 75? And who cares? She took the effort to get herself to a facility in Santa Maria where they were giving vaccinations to people 75 and older. Her granddaughter explained that her purse had been stolen and that she hasn’t left the house in almost a year for fear of getting the virus that has taken friends and relatives. 

I don’t know who’s in charge or who figures out how much vaccine to send to Santa Barbara county, but obviously not enough has been sent. The middle of February and they are just now finishing with the age group of 75 and older, with the exception of this lady and anyone who cannot produce documentation. Can we trust that this situation has been remedied? 

Sansum Clinic sent out an email two days ago saying that people over age 65 are now eligible to receive the vaccine, however only a small fraction of the more than 40, 000 residents over 65 will get get vaccinated because of the county’s short supply. According to Sansum’s newsletter, they still have many patients over age 75 who are already on a waiting list. Santa Barbara residents continue to wait for vaccinations as businesses, schools, and restaurants navigate a new normal. Let’s hope that the people in charge will allow teachers to jump ahead and receive vaccines, schools are set to open later this month. 

In the meantime, florists and psychoanalysts continue to thrive. Wash your hands, wear your masks, do something nice for a stranger. Good luck in getting through year two of the pandemic. 

*update freezes and bad weather has added additional wait times for those already on the list, while many alarmists and some military are refusing the vaccine. 

Fire and Rain Santa Barbara

Melinda Palacio

Rain clouds above a burnt out Santa Barbara hillside, view from my house.

Rain returns to California like a scorned lover who can’t remember what the original argument was about. For the past two days, the rain was the kind the entire state has been praying for. I’m sure the land appreciated the many hours of a soft gentle patter. However, there were fits of thunder, rare for the west coast, as well as wind, and sheets of water falling sideways and banging on my glass French doors. Wikipedia calls the winter phenomenon a Pineapple Express or an airborne river out of Hawaii. This burst of frenetic downpour feels like the singer Sia belting out one of her famous lines into your ear, “I want to Swing from a Chandelier.” 

Ever since fires have become more prevalent in California, the idea of rain, however badly we need it, makes me feel anxious that there might be another deadly episode of mudslides, such as the one in January that killed 17 people in Montecito when the 101 turned into a river of mud. The view from my kitchen window is of an exposed, burnt out hillside. The lack of rain since the Jesusita Fire in 2009 that consumed the house and hillside means there is some protection from a future fire because there is no fuel left to burn, but it will be a long time before the hill returns to the verdant state it was when we first moved in over ten years ago. Most of the state is covered with burned out hills and I can only imagine the heartbreak in the town of Paradise where an entire town was destroyed by fire. 

Rain used to be a seasonal expectation until drought became the new normal in California. On social media, a teacher posted a photograph of her young students staring outside the classroom window at the water falling from the sky. The picture made me a little sad, rain shouldn’t be such a rare sight. However children who are five to seven years old have only known drought. I am reminded of the Ray Bradbury story where children lock a little girl in a closet during the one hour the sun come out on Venus. I hope we return to a state where water and rain are not such an odd or deadly phenomenon.