In my new collection (several of the poems have gone into journals, although the majority are unpublished) the theme of praying came up. It wasn’t intentional but in our society, most of us send up solicitations via in our heads, meditations, smoke, temples and teepee meetings. In these violent and merciless times, at the end of the day or to start a day, for many, I imagine, it’s what gives strength. I’ll be signing books…
Continue readingSo, a handful of the new poems in MY BOOK OF THE DEAD are in Spanish. Here is an excerpt from one, published, citation below. Algo de ti [An Ekphrastic Exercise] Algo de ti me recuerda a casa; no la de hoy, la de otros tiempos– Las tortillas de la abuela sobre su comal ardiente; el perfume de la bugambilia en el jardín. Tus pestañas estrelladas– de niñez como las estrellas mismas que contemplaba yo,…
Continue readingSummer ends for many in the U.S. A day doesn’t go by in These Times when we are not affected by the politics, climate change and the dominance of violence. Much of this has been converted into fuel for my new poems. I include here the start of one of the poems. It was published in Fifth Wed. Journal: A Storm Upon us. There is a lot of interest amongst activists and academics involved in…
Continue readingBooks have lives. My first novel was born to the public in the 1980s, when recognition of U.S. Latinas started. My short novel was written in the 1970s when I was in my twenties. As a self-taught writer, a brown “American” woman of Mexican background, even as I worked on the story I never expected it to be published. Thirty-three years after it was first printed it remains in publication.
Continue readingBesides re-reading Naula O’Fallain’s two memoirs, I delved into other books. One was by my bedside for a while: And, I did a review of two books for the Women’s Review of Books by an Argentine writer, Silvina Ocampo. I have another book at the ready, which I read, re-read, at my bedside to read again and recommend. Sometimes new writers think they are being transgressive and breaking new ground on the subject of gender,…
Continue readingReading Naula O’Failain’s memoir Are You Somebody on vacay. I’ve read it and her sequel, Almost There a few times. How does an individual measure success these days? How do baby boomers who strove for parents’ approval and to do right by everyone right into retirement age measure personal satisfaction? Do we allow ourselves to feel any joy in these times with governments that appear to have no conscience? Are we content with the modest…
Continue readingNew collection in the works. In case you want to get a preview here are poems from the collection being published independently. When Snow Turns to Rain and It Is Still Winter(Resisting Arrest (anthology, ed. by Tony Medina, Jacar Press; North Carolina, 2016); Algo de ti.(Weber: The Contemporary West, Spring/Summer 2016| Vol. 32 Num. 2); Two Men and Me (Fifth Wednesday Journal, ed. Vern Miller; Fall, 2017Lisle, IL) A Storm Upon Us, These Times, Mierda( Fifth Wednesday Journal, ed.…
Continue reading(Dog days of summer. The poet at home in NM.) SUPPORT US New poems going into Hypertext Magazine in Chicago that is also dedicated to social justice services are in the new collection: My Book of the Dead. Congratulations to the staff there on the upcoming 10th anniversary issue in which my poemitos will appear. I am available to work one on one.
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