Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley door pickup 10am - 7pm 3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611

  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
Black Mestiza: Poems

Black Mestiza: Poems

Aldana, Yael Valencia

Hardcover

Series: University Press of Kentucky New Poetry & Prose

General Poetry

ISBN10: 1985901234
ISBN13: 9781985901230
Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
Published: Jan 21 2025
Pages: 144
Weight: 0.66
Height: 0.70 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.10
Language: English

In Black Mestiza, Yael Valencia Aldana reckons with her identity as a Caribbean Afro-Latinx/e woman with Indigenous, Black, and white roots and pays homage to the legacy, resilience, and fortitude of her ancestors. These stunning poems paint a vivid picture of everyday life and Aldana's experiences as a mixed-race woman, daughter, and mother.

The Pushcart Prize-winning poem Black Person Head Bob addresses how Black people silently yet soulfully acknowledge and see each other. Why Don't You Write About Joy? speaks to the suffering that women of color endure while their cries and spirit remain resolute: because you cannot hear me / doesn't mean I am not singing. Small Dark and Moving skillfully represents the poet's journey and the souls she carries with her, evoking images of evolving landscapes and beings as they transition through different forms. The poet beautifully interweaves narratives regarding the constant presence and influence of her Caribbean parents and a desire for more connection with her Colombian grandmother and ancestry, capturing the essence of origins, blood ties, and the idea that nothing is ever truly lost. This collection is not only a testament to Aldana's deep-rooted connection to her heritage, but also a compelling celebration and expression of pride, recognition, and a profound sense of community.

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