An Amazing New Poet to Read
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month
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:
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:
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