Connecting Community Through Poetry

The First Column from Santa Barbara’s New Poet Laureate

U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón with Santa Barbara Poet Laureates (L-R) Chryss Yost, Emma Trelles, Sojourner Kincaid Rolle, Melinda Palacio, Limón, Enid Osborn, Paul Willis, and Perie Longo. | Credit: Mark Zolezzi

When I told my dental hygienist that I was going to be Santa Barbara’s Poet Laureate, she wasn’t sure what that meant. The instruments in my mouth didn’t help either. She was confused behind her mask and face shield. Unless you’re a fan of poetry or Bob Dylan, the idea of a Nobel Laureate or Poet Laureate probably doesn’t come up in everyday conversation.

Santa Barbara Poet Laureate Melinda Palacio | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom

The position of Poet Laureate dates back to ancient times. Ancient Greeks first introduced the crown of laurels as an honorary reward for athletes, war heroes, musicians, and poets. In June 1915, Oakland librarian Ina Coolbrith became the first Poet Laureate of California, as well as the first Poet Laureate of any state. Currently, Lee Herrick of Fresno is California’s Poet Laureate. In 1998, Mayor Willie Brown appointed Lawrence Ferlinghetti as San Francisco’s first Poet Laureate. More recently and locally, in 2005, Barry Spacks (February 21, 1931–January 28, 2014) became Santa Barbara’s first Poet Laureate.

We turn to poetry in times of crisis and celebration and everything in between from admiring the beauty around us to honoring our home and ancestry. The Poet Laureate brings us together and reminds us how we are all connected.