Latino Poetry

This vibrant collection brings together 253 poems by 186 Latino poets from the early 17th century through 2023, showcasing a dynamic poetic tradition that engages with social and political issues and personal experiences. Exploring poetic movements with striking concision, González situates the anthology within a larger context of “interwoven legacies of colonialism and imperialism,” positioning Latino poetry as both a response to and a reshaping of historical forces. Standout contributions include Julia De Burgos’s touching reflections on memory and place, Francisco X. Alarcón’s vivid depiction of cultural duality (“un beso can’t/ be captured/ traded/ or sated”), and Claribel Alegría’s and Ernesto Cardenal’s poems grappling with political oppression. Particular attention is paid to such linguistic features as code-switching and Spanglish, framing these as vital expressions of bicultural experiences, and highlighting the collection’s thematic threads: cultural identity, memory, social justice, and the interplay between personal and collective histories. While the scope of the anthology means some individual poets receive less in-depth exploration, the breadth of voices ensures a comprehensive look at the evolution of Latino poetry. Casual readers and scholars alike have much to gain. (Sept.)