The collection continues with one poignant poem after another. The first section ends with Learning English by Luis Alberto Ambroggio, who states, "to understand me you have to know Spanish.if I speak another language.I don't know if I'll continue being the same person." Spanish continues to define Hispanics, even those fifth generation Americans, as the language is an integral part of who they are. An intelligent girl, she is met with prejudices due to her skin, name, and origin, yet she is more than capable of achieving big. This contrasts with A Puerto Rican Girl's Sentimental Education by Johanna Vega where a Mexican immigrant falls through the cracks in her school simply because she is not as proficient in English as Spanish. This description of hot dogs harkens to a simpler time when kids could play outside all day in the summer and adults did not question one's skin color. Her experience about kids eating hot dogs from a stand for lunch shows the experience of Chicago children, one I have seen many times. While I enjoyed most of these poems, I felt affinity with Good Hot Dogs by Cisneros, as I do with the rest of her work. "Si, yes simon, of course, I love English," sets the stage for the rest of this poignant collection. In welcoming students to ESL class, Valdes conveys emotions of a blend of what she refers to as "Latinized ingles con chile y cilantro," a thickly accented English, yet one speakers are proud of. The collection starts with English con Salsa by Gina Valdes. The majority of poems in this collection, however, have been written by renown Hispanic poets, and each shares their experience of growing up both Hispanic and bilingual in the United States. Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing Up Latino in the United States is an anthology of bilingual poetry written by a cross section of Hispanic poets, all who bring a distinct voice to the melting pot of American culture.Ĭool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing Up Latino in the United States contains an introduction by Pulitzer winner Oscar Hijuelos where he speaks of his family's immigrant experience and poems by now household names Sandra Cisneros, Gary Soto, and Pat Mora. Yet, after choosing Latin American studies as the center of her life's work, Carlson came to realize that Latin Americans and their unique culture is a vital part of the study of both the Spanish language and the fabric of the United States. When Carlson was growing up, Spanish meant Spain and all things Ibero-centric. Similar to my own experience, Lori Marie Carlson started studying Spanish as a pre-adolescent, fostering a lifelong appreciation for both the language and the culture. "Excellent enrichment.Whether discussing the immigrant's frustration at not being able to speak English.the familiar adolescent desire to belong, or celebrating the simple joys of life, these fine poems are incisive and photographic in their depiction of a moment." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred) "The subtle but singing lyrics frequently have a colloquial tone that will speak to many young readers." Presented in both English and Spanish, each poem helps us to discover the stories behind the mangoes and memories, prejudice and fear, love and life-how it was and is to grow up Hispanic in America. Here are the sights, sounds, and smells of Latino culture in America in thirty-six vibrant, moving, angry, beautiful and varied voices, including Alicia Gaspar de Alba, Ana Castillo, Sandra Cisneros, Luis J. Looking for more poetry in your life? Check out our other poetry posts through the #poetry tag."Poetry with a distinct a skillfully mixed appetizer." Or facing the gap between graduate seminars Whenever my father was left with nothing to do. Tyler Knott Gregson-Ī post shared by Tyler Knott Gregson on at 6:34pm PSTġ2. Be for this, keep being, for there is music in all this, quietly it plays, almost inaudible, but the melody remains, be for this, and lend yourself to the perfect cacophony. To be there to see it, the wings of geese in the lightlessness, the blur of hummingbirds roaring softly on summer porches, the earthquake of thunder on evenings where you swear dusk will never fade out. I know I am a broken record, but at least my song is true. Remember, again, there is help if you need it. Typewriter Series #2518 by Tyler Knott Gregson.
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