Description
Poetry. Latinx Studies. Native American Studies. California Interest. "alurista, the proto-poet laureate of Aztlan whose enigmatic nom de plume has long been synonymous with Chicano poetry, returns with a pristine and rarefied homecoming coda. ZAZ (in Caló: 'bam!' or 'right on!'), recalls classic Spik in Glyph? multidimensional sonic, phonetic and textual word play burnished by astonishing and unapologetic interlingual English, Spanish, Nahuatl and Caló hybridity. The spare and resonant verse gathered in this arresting volume speaks to the mundane, the profane and the esoteric simultaneously. At once ceremonial prayer chants and oracular pronouncements, the poems shimmer yet remained anchored by a welcome formal purity. This collection brings the internationally acclaimed alurista—a leading voice at the historic, first-ever Festival de Flor y Canto (USC, 1973)—home as well to a dynamic new imprint named in honor of that venerated floricanto ('flower-song' from the Nahuatl) tradition."—Abel M. Salas
"alurista es el mero mero, a 'root' Xicanx poet, the etymology of our post-colonial mind literature starts with this vato. These word-breaths are more than letters on paper—they are prophecies, clarities, unclarities, rage on page, and humo de copal on a warm spring day."—Luis J. Rodriguez
Author Bio
Alberto Baltazar Urista Heredia, known as alurista, is a Chicano poet and activist. He was born in Mexico City and moved to San Diego with his family at the age of 13. He earned a BA in psychology and MA in literature from San Diego State University, and a PhD in literature from University of California, San Diego. alurista is one of the first poets to blend English and Spanish languages in his writing, as well as various slangs of both. He is the author of many books, including ZAZ (FlowerSong Press, 2020), Xicano Duende: A Select Anthology (2011), TUNALUNA (Aztlan Libre Press, 2010), Z Eros (1995), and Et Tu ... Raza? (1995). He has written many essays and literary criticisms on the Chicano Movement and on Chicano culture, which have been widely published in anthologies, journals, and newspapers. alurista is the co-founder of multiple academic and community organizations, such as Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán at San Diego State University, Concilio por la Justicia, Centro Cultural de la Raza, and the Department of Chicano Studies at San Diego State University. He has taught at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, Escuela Tlatelolco in Denver, Colorado, and at the University of Texas at Austin. He has also lectured and read his poetry in venues throughout the world. His papers are held at University of Texas, Austin and at the California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives.
Author City: SAN JOSE, CA USA