Product Description

Narrative poetry written about working in a barrio (neighborhood) grocery store in Albuquerque, NM during the late 1940's and early 1950's. The poems describe customers, workers, and neighbors in both humorous and sad situations. The poems are written in English, Spanglish (a mixture of English and Spanish), and some in Spanish. Translation notes appear at the end of the book.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2629585 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 91 pages

Review
"These poems are wonderful! They are filled with gentle wit and insight..." -- James Tipton, author of Letters from a Stranger.

"These poems of Luis Lopez are marvelous little vignettes into the heart and soul of an Hispanic barrio." -- Angel Vigil, author of Una Linda Raza, The Art and Culture of the Hispanic Southwest.

"These wonderful, warm poems are told in a voice that lifts the characters that live in these pages..." -- Rudolfo Anaya, author of Bless Me Ultima.

A tender recollection of the author's growing up with both a grocery store and the Catholic Church in his blood. -- A Gathering of Writers: Introducing Readers to Writers: Inside / Outside Southwest, April 2001

Endnotes translate the Spanish, but one doesn't need to know the exact translation. Well done! -- from Writer's Digest judging sheet

Language Notes
Text: English, Spanish

From the Publisher
This book of poetry received an Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest 2000 National Self-Published Book Award. Out of 1300 entries, one first place and 5 Honorable Mentions were awarded. The fact that the poems in this book are written in English, Spanish, and Spanglish makes the award much more appreciated.

Customer Reviews

Gives Poetry A Good Name
This is a sweet, tender collection of the author's recollections of growing up in an Albuquerque neighborhood with both a grocery store, where he worked, and the Catholic Church, which he attended. He writes of his neighbors with gentle wit and wisdom and reveals their souls in a manner that will make you proud that such a poet exists to give substance to the bricks and mortar of a neighborhood. Lopez teaches in the English Department of Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO. What a wonderful, inspiring poet.