Ok, Poems of My Night brings us back to Hispanic / Latinx Heritage Month reads!
Edition:
E-book
Synopsis:
Cynthia Pelayo constructs a narrative in her poetry in response to the work of Jorge Luis Borges that examines the themes and subsequent consequences of insomnia, death, and blindness. There’s a visionary quality to her work that dances along the line between the present world that we inhabit and the other world that lingers beyond the veil. Her poetry folds back this blanket of darkness, and shows readers the quiet violence and beauty that hides beneath waiting to be exposed, experienced, and encompassed.
Pelayo showcases this scream of silence through an urban and metaphysical night as she reflects on the spiritual, the occult, and the everyday happenings that become extraordinary in their own rights. Her poems are sermons, prayers to the voices that surround us in the dark, and comforts to those who watch over us as we sleep. Her style is honest, raw, and her voice will leave readers asking questions about what waits for them in the beyond, and whether or not their sins and frustrations are trapping them in the here and now. She shows us that all too often, there is nothing to be scared of when the sun goes down, but that sometimes, we have every reason to be afraid, especially as we enter her world of blackness and decay, of smudged fingerprints and burnt pictures. These poems are cautionary tales for those who choose not to cover their eyes, warnings for those who refuse to find the light. And when our dreams come to roost, when our sleep eases us in, Pelayo shows us what nightmares are made of, and why there are some stories we can never escape.
My Thoughts:
This book of poems inspired by Argentine writer and poet Jorge Luis Borges is lovely. There are so many passages peppered throughout that I absolutely loved. I picked a random passage to illustrate my point:
“I remembered a dream where I dreamt the world and it dreamt me.”
Rather than try to review each piece separately, I will instead give you a list of my absolute favorite pieces. I am choosing to do this because it is really hard to review poetry without also dissecting it. In the dissection, it tends to lose some of its magic. So read first, dissect later, ok?
My favorites:
- Forjadura
- Amanecer
- Remordimiento por cualquier muerte
- Casa jucio final
- Insomnio
- Elegia
- Yo (I)
- Al hijo
About the Author:
Cynthia “Cina” Pelayo is the author of LOTERIA, SANTA MUERTE, THE MISSING, POEMS OF MY NIGHT, INTO THE FOREST AND ALL THE WAY THROUGH, and the upcoming CHILDREN OF CHICAGO by Agora/Polis Books. She is an International Latino Book Award winning author and an Elgin Award nominee.
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Rating:
I recommend checking this collection out. I’m sure you’ll find something in there for you!
Poems of My Night By Cynthia Pelayo Raw Dog Screaming Press ISBN: 1935738887 Published: September 14, 2016 Paperback, E-book 122 Pages Author's Website Publisher's Website
