By
Vanessa Francis
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Writer draws inspiration from life in the Southwest, war memories
Award-winning poet and New Mexico native Leroy Quintana finds inspiration for his work in people he has met, and experiences he has had.
"They are composed of recollections from youth, and recollections of living in the Southwest," Quintana said of his poems.
Quintana, who now resides in San Diego, will read from his work tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the Modern Language auditorium as part of the UA Poetry Center's reading series.
Since the publishing of his first book in 1974, "Higo del Pueblo: New Mexico Poems," Quintana has defined himself in the literary world by winning numerous awards. He has twice won the Before Columbus Foundation American Book Award, and most recently a Lifetime Achievement award from his colleagues in the San Diego area.
Quintana was raised in Albuquerque, N.M. by his grandparents, which has also influenced his work.
"I have fond memories of life there....the way it used to be," he said. "It is so modernized today."
The very issue of returning to Albuquerque and feeling out of place is addressed in the poems in his book, "My Hair is Turning Gray Among Strangers."
"It deals with the issues of me going home and feeling like a stranger to everyone who is still there," he said.
Before returning to New Mexico, Quintana served in the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968. During his tour he wrote in a notebook, and the material from that has been used as the source for many of his poems concerning the war.
"I was on the (reconnaissance) duty, where I would scout in the woods for about a week or so, and report on activity and feelings from the experience," he said.
Along with writing, Quintana also holds a license in mental health studies and worked as a counselor when he first moved to the San Diego area.
He previously made an appearance at the University of Arizona when his book "History of Home" was published about seven years ago.
Jim Paul, director of the UA Poetry Center, said Quintana was chosen to read tomorrow because "he's a distinctive poet with a voice not often heard."
Paul also said Quintana is an emotional poet who is easily accessible.
"He is straight-forward, interesting, rarefied," Paul said.
Paul encouraged people to come hear Quintana read, as he is unlike most traditional poets.
"People for a long time people have not liked poetry," Paul said. "But they should come out and see Quintana because he is the real thing."
In addition to the reading, an informal question and answer session with Quintana will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow in Room 205 of the "Swede" Johnson building.
