John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Six writers with a range of ages have expressed their thoughts about Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days in a way to make them the top honorees in the first ever Fiesta Poetry Contest.
They gathered at the Santa Barbara Library downtown with their poems and thoughts about how they created their work.
Each reflected on the historic event as a whole or through the role of an individual engaging in Fiesta.
They all knew the event, now in its 103rd year, has deep roots in the city.
The pieces were a compiltion of community spirits, history and celebrations.
Father Larry Gosslin is this year’s Fiesta Poet Laureate. He said it was tough to pick winners with all the good work that came in.
“Poetry brings a longevity to an emotion or to an experience and we capture it in words and I think and that is what happened here this is kind of a dream we put together and it is beautiful to see these people writing such beautiful poetry,” he said.
Winner Elise Swanson Ochoa said, “I really wanted to bring out the imagery of Fiesta. See the dancing. Hear the music.The beauty of the the nature of our town of Santa Barbara.”
Justin Young wrote short sentences and brief bursts of words as his style. “I think the line “come on shakers come on spirit” because I feel like dancing can be a very spiritual thing and a very grounding thing.” He is also a musician and songwriter.
“Ode to Old Spanish Days” BY ELISE SWANSON OCHOA+
El Pueblito de Santa Barbara is my home. Home to eyes that spy Santa Cruz Islandacross the calm grey blue ocean, slick, like the dolphins that live here, too. El pueblito de Santa Barbara tiene mi corazón. It has my heart, where the two chambers of my heritage meet. Here, my father’s great-grandparentscame from Sweden,in a time when a borderwas only something boats crossed over. Here, my mother’s parents came from Mexicoin a time when a border was only something trains crossed overHere, in our lindo pueblito, is where my Latina flameand my Scandinavian “hygge”hug themselves in a riviera of bougainvillea and sturdy oaks.Where the “Queen of the Missions bellsring-out over a rose garden splattered with colors, like a painter’s palette.Where the desert wind and marine later meet.Like the origins of California itself,Santa Barbara’s birth, and mine,a little Spanish, a little Mexicanand a little pioneer.El pueblito de Santa Barbara needs no introduction, but a little party will do.A Fiesta! An expression of lovewith trumpets, flamenco, Noches de Ronda, and fun.A tradition of goodwill to honor the cooks, priestsand gauchos that came before us. A tradition where even the horses come out to play! Let’s have a night (or two, or three) to celebrateour home, our community, together.Where my two halves meet, where we all greet each otherwith a smattering of eggshell and confetti in our hair.
“Shakers” BY JUSTEN YOUNG+
Jacaranda,and the dawn wrinklingConcealThese smiles unfolding Violent and LilacNearer to me nowDancersShakersBlowBowInto the artBygoneCome on shakersCome on SpiritBe scarletBe bloodEffervescent
“A Fiesta Day to Never Forget” BY MARCELO GONZALES +
As I walked down the street, I could feel the beat:the music, the cheers, the beers clinking together. I see the confettifilling the air as I see people dance it in the street. I see peoplecrack an egg on their friends heads as I see the confetti blend into their hair. I see dancers light on their feet like a feather as the weather settles in. A sunny day with joy, music, and celebration. I see the sun’s glimmer shine on the sparkly, shiny, dancer’s clothes. I see shops and stands and shops with confetti eggs for miles and miles. I see a person with a cape, he twirls the capearound in an amazing motion but he looks grim because ofdancing in the heat. As I near the end of the paradeI stayed to see the parade a little bit longer. With the sun beating down on the dancers the dancers kept on dancing until the end. I saw a friend and he said hi. He said that his head was hurting with all the confetti eggs cracked onhis head, so I said bye. When the Parade was over people were sad, but even though this Fiesta was over, there will still be more to come, with more exciting music and dancing each time.
“Olé” BY VIENNA CERVANTES+
Fiesta, what a glorious place to be,A celebration of traditions for all to see.As a fourth generation Santa Barbarian, our traditionsare really special to me.Flamenco dresses shine so bright,As dancers stomp with all their might.My tradition started at age five, Performing flamenco in the Sunken Gardens made me feel so alive.The parades bring people togetherAs they watch the performers go by. Confetti eggs fill the streets,Along with music, laughter, and treats.Celebrating all day leads to hungry bellies at night,With pozole, tamales, and corn cooked just right.After five days of fun with new friends and old,We hold on to the memories as we wait With excitement for the next Fiesta to unfold.
“Blue” BY JULIA TEMLER+
Blue was born on a bright sunny day in theSanta Barbara Mountains.Its clothes are made from a bright colorful dancing dress.Her dream is to be on stage with her brightcolorful dress singing and dancing on the day of Fiesta.And every one cheering and clappingBlue takes dance classes for this big moment to come.And believes that this moment will finally come.And it did. Blue was happy and I was too.
The three winners went home with cash prizes, while the runner-ups received gift certificates. The winners are expected to read their pieces at multiple events throughout Fiesta weekend, Aug. 5-9.
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