52 local poets get a spotlight through ‘Santa Ana, a Year in Poetry’ project

The Santa Ana Literary Assn. is highlighting one local poet every week throughout 2021 in a project called “Santa Ana, a Year in Poetry.”

The first featured piece, “Communion,” written by activist and comedian Sandra De Anda, deals with the idea of home.

“Someone recently asked me where home was,” the poem reads, “and all I could say / it is that time when we weren’t afraid.”

“A Breath,” by David Lopez, is the latest poem presented, and begins with the words, “Sunsets, / They do not take respite — / Like the hummingbird outside Nina’s rosal / Resting her cradled wings.”

Readers can also expect poetry from Josh Wood and Marcus Omari.

Poets who live, work or have a connection to Santa Ana can submit a short biography and their work for consideration through booksaremedicine@gmail.com. S.A.L.A. is accepting submissions on a rolling basis.

J. Martin Strangeweather, one of the group’s founders, said the project is open to people from all walks of life, from well-established to unpublished poets.

Selected poems are highlighted through S.A.L.A. and Santa Ana Public Library’s social media pages. The group intends to publish a collection of poetry at the end of the year with all proceeds going towards a local charity.

“We’re doing all of this without any funding whatsoever,” Strangeweather said. “We’re not going to let a lack of funding keep us from making our community a better place in our own humble way.”

The group is applying for grants that could allow them to pay all the poets involved in the project and to commission an artist to create cover artwork for the book.

Cheryl Eberly, a librarian focused on young adult and volunteer services at the Santa Ana Public Library, said S.A.L.A’s yearlong project was the right fit for the library to put online.

“Santa Ana has so many talented writers and poets. I’m glad they have this venue to share their poetry,” Eberly said.

S.A.L.A. started in summer 2020 to provide a platform that showcases the literary presence of Santa Ana, Strangeweather said.

“We felt that our local writers and poets and playwrights were not getting enough attention,” Strangeweather said. “We founded this literary association to set a standard for integrity, inclusivity and equality in our oftentimes factionalized community.”

The association’s Facebook page promotes local authors, poets and playwrights with the goal of becoming the go-to site for information on Santa Ana’s literary scene.

In addition to the yearlong poetry project, S.A.L.A. is working on a short story anthology titled “American Daydream” that would include pieces from Strangeweather and Southern California residents Tagert Ellis, J. G. McClure, Martina Hutchins, L. Joyce Morel, Justin Lee, Brennan Roach and Lance Boyle. The book is set to be released in March with all profits going toward the Santa Ana Public Library.

The group also plans to host readings and other literary events when restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic are lifted, and officials say it is safe to gather in person.

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