Rogue Writer, by Shari Lopatin

Share this post
An Amazing New Poet to Read
sharilopatin.substack.com

An Amazing New Poet to Read

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month

Shari Lopatin
Sep 21, 2021
Share this post
An Amazing New Poet to Read
sharilopatin.substack.com

I recently learned that September is Hispanic Heritage Month.

Simultaneously, I also happened to stumble upon a new poet who blew me away and happens to be Mexican American. I therefore decided to introduce him to you:

Gil Arzola

Mr. Arzola is the Rattle Chapbook Prize Winner, which is how his poetry found my eyes. I subscribed to Rattle Magazine for a year and my first issue came with a copy of Mr. Arzola’s latest collection, The Death of a Migrant Worker (which is only $6, if you want to read his amazing work and support a fellow writer).

I cannot get this man’s words and imagery out of my mind. His poetry is both beautiful and haunting. I mean, just read some of these lines:


“My life is passing. The snow melts.

In another day it will become water and disappear

into the ground.”

--Gil Arzola, from his poem, “Childhood Homes”


“My father died in the bathtub, his head

banging against the stainless-steel handles.

The blood from his head--useless now--poured out,

slow as thick soup.”

--Gil Arzola, from his poem, “The Death of a Migrant Worker” (click the link to read the full poem, published as a free sample by Rattle)


“Begin at the part where

he looked at you the first time.

My father. He smiled.

I was born there.”

--Gil Arzola, from his poem, “My Mother’s Love Story”


I cannot recommend this man’s poetry enough. If you want to read his full poems, which I really think you should, you can purchase a copy of The Death of a Migrant Worker here:

Buy Poems

Share this post
An Amazing New Poet to Read
sharilopatin.substack.com
Comments

Create your profile

0 subscriptions will be displayed on your profile (edit)

Skip for now

Only paid subscribers can comment on this post

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in

Check your email

For your security, we need to re-authenticate you.

Click the link we sent to , or click here to sign in.

TopNewCommunity

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2022 Shari Lopatin
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Publish on Substack Get the app
Substack is the home for great writing