Latina/o Literature and
Literature of the Americas at the
University of Northern Colorado

Martin Espada -- Imagine the Angels of Bread

Imagine an idea so simple it could never be realized.

Imagine an idea so great it could never be discussed.

Just try reading Martin Espada's "Imagine The Angels of Bread" and you'll live through an imagination that will challenge you and decieve you at the same time.

Martin Espada's fifth collection of poetry is easily his best.

Martin Espada delivers on an impressive serving of his own life through memories of odd coincidences and unusual anecdotes. There are no apologies here, only straight-to-the-point, glimpses of reality.

Is there sadness? Yes.

Is there happiness? Yes.

Is there redemption? Yes.

Is there failure? Yes.

There is a collection of life that only Martin Espada could fashion into a poetic collection of words.

Consider the title poem, "Imagine The Angels of Bread" in which he writes and challenges the reader with the following:

"This is the year that squatters evict landlords,

gazing like admirals from the rail

of the roofdeck"

OR

"This is the year

that shawled refugees deport judges

who stare at the floor

and their swollen feet

as files are stamped

with their destination"

OR

"This is the year that police revolvers,

stove-hot, blister the fingers

of raging cops,

and nightsticks splinter

in their palms"

There is some rage in what Espada writes. There is frustration and there is revenge. But Espada's observations leave the reader questioning his intent. And that indicates Espada is doing his job.

Just listen to his message:

"This is the year that those who swim the border's undertow and shiver in boxcars

are greeted with trumpets and drums

at the first railroad crossing."

Martin Espada's writing is crisp and his messages are sharp. Leave no doubt that Espada does not hold back in this collection.

He gives us looks at his amnesiac grandfather, his boycotting father, public school and god. He talks about being a bouncer, a janitor and about his feelings about how one racist word invaded his life.

He tells of his dream of cockroaches and his desire to understand the concept of food stamps.

No subject is too minor, no feeling is too small to be included in this collection.

Martin Espada triumphs with pen and a smile.

Try Martin Espada's "Imagine The Angels of Bread" for a look at how easily someone's ideas can force a person to see themselves.

Ruben Sosa Villegas

Rocky Mountain News

400 West Colfax Ave.

Denver, CO 80204

303 892-5431

rubenews@aol.com