Of Jibaros and Hillbillies

...this new world fraught with enormous new challenges weighted down with inherited old world problems needs new navigational tools new tongues unafraid of truth and new poets with hearts and words almost too big for the treasure chests they beat in. You can find all of that and a hint of raw sugarcane in these pages. Frank X Walker Editor of PLUCK! The Journal of Affrilachian Arts & Culture; Author of Affrilachia When Winter Come Black Box and more. In Of Jíbaros and Hillbillies Ricardo Nazario y Colón connects the dots between Puerto Rico and Affrilachia creating a route that is poetic narrative grito reflection and canción. The writing is muscular intimately masculine yet able to fully embrace a female essence-in poems that reference the Great Mother or in intimate connection with a woman the poet desires. The present legacy of racism sexism eco-exploitation and colonialism of psychic damage suffered in war-all are articulated here. In a favorite piece Nazario y Colón crafts an ode/psalm to his spirit brother Frank X Walker where the ties that connect are lovingly etched. Lisa Alvarado Author of Raw Silk Suture and Sister Chicas Fierce and must read it slowly. Rane Arroyo Poet recent titles include: The Buried Sea: New & Selected Poems and The Skys Weight