Martín Espada...

... or an argument on behalf of letters of law o porqué nunca, jamás lo invitan a leer con abogados-poetas de aquí

Mariano Explains Yanqui Colonialism to Judge Collings

Judge: Does the prisoner understand his rights?
Interpreter: ¿Entiende usted sus derechos?
Prisoner: ¡Pa'l Carajo!
Interpreter: Yes.

de "Trumpets from the Islands of their Eviction"

Julio Signing His Name

Julio cheats
signing his name,
copying slowly
from his Social Security Card,
man's hand
scratching letters child-crooked.

But Julio's black hand
was schooled for lettuce-picking
not lawsuits.

de "Rebellion is the Circle of a Lover's Hands"


The Community College Revises
Its Curriculum in Response
to Changing Demographics

SPA 100 Conversational Spanish
2 credits

The course
is especially concerned
with giving police
the ability
to express themselves
tersely
in matters of interest
to them.

de "A Mayan Astronomer in Hell's Kitchen"