Floricanto En Aztlan

With these one hundred poems Alurista created a highly original poetics that upset the literary conventions of the era. Floricanto en Aztlanwas published in 1971, a time of Chicano activism and the search for a Chicano identity. Using Azta#x2B21;n, the mythical homeland of the Aztecs, as a unifying metaphor and employing indigenous symbols to describe barrio life, the poet inspired his readers, cultivating pride in their cultural past. The poems blend English, Spanish, and pre-Columbian languages to explore themes of alienation and exploitation in a decidedly Chicano voice. This new edition of Floricanto en Aztlan, Alurista's first book of poetry, includes a new preface by the poet and a new foreword that considers the lasting influence of this important work. "Alurista's play with language, his transnational perspective on politics and economics, and his manipulation of time break down the barriers between people, place, and history with the ultimate goal of liberation and self-actualization." - Marissa Lopez, Melus