Watsonville Poet Laureate, Victoria Bañales will read from her new book of poetry on Oct. 2 alongside four other local poets.
“The Sun Will Not Harm You by Day, Nor the Moon by Night,” is a 143-page softbound book of 54 poems by Bañales who teaches Chicanx/Latinx literature, fiction writing and English composition at Cabrillo College.
She said the title was inspired by a Biblical Psalm (121:6), which resonated with her because her poems deal with pain and struggle.
“The message of the psalm is, ‘You’re going to be okay, and no harm will befall you,’” Bañales said. “I also love the connection to the cosmos and the celestial bodies—the sun and moon, day and night—echoing the concepts of Ōmeyōtl or Ōmeteōtl (Nahuatl), which focuses on cosmic duality, interdependence, and harmony.”
There is also a connection to spirituality and resiliency,” she said.
“It’s a beautiful message that’s even more meaningful today, given the cruelty Mexican/Latinx/immigrant (and other) communities are experiencing under the Trump Administration.”
Naomi Helena Quiñonez, author of Hummingbird Dream/Sueño de Colibrí and The Smoking Mirror, said, “Victoria’s collection of poetry reads like a love letter to her family and community. Her tender and often humorous accounts of family histories, coming of age, identity, and the richness of her culture emphasize the love and complexity of her Mexicana/Chicana experiences.”
Bañales is also a member of the Writers of Color-Santa Cruz County Collective and the founder of Xinachtli Journal (Journal X), a literary arts magazine focused on social justice, which was awarded the Superior Distinction by the National Council of Teachers of English.
Her poetry, stories, and essays have appeared in various journals and anthologies. She was the first in her family to attend college.
“The only assignment that made me happy was when teachers said, ‘go off and read a novel,’ or ‘go off and read poetry,’” she said. “That was when I was most alive. So I went with that.”
Bañales earned a bachelor’s degree, and then a master’s degree at San Francisco State University, before earning her a joint master’s–PhD at UC Santa Cruz in literature and feminist studies.
The book celebration will also feature readings by Youth Poet Laureate Adela Najarro, as well a Elbina Rafizadeh, Eva Martinez and former Poet Laureate Bob Gomez on Oct. 2 at 6pm at the 4th floor, Community Room, 275 Main St. in Watsonville.
