Seven

by Sheryl Luna

Poetry. Latino/Latina Studies. Winner of the Andres Montoya Poetry Prize for her first book, Pity the Drowned Horses, Sheryl Luna, in SEVEN, creates a breathtaking world of external and internal landscapes--defining the particular landmarks of home, culture, place, and personal history along the U.S.-Mexican border of El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez. Divided into seven sections, which tie into the seven sins and virtues, SEVEN moves between English and Spanish effortlessly and accessibly. In crossing many borders and boundaries, these poems ask each person to notice. To speak out. To feel compassion for those experiencing personal, cultural, or sexual abuse. And SEVEN offers hope of recovery.

115 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2013

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way Sheryl Luna mixes classical references (say, to Narcissus) with her own experience growing up in El Paso, Texas. Her language is supple and surprising ("I'm hard-hoofed, snickered trouble"—from "Equus"). Her approach to her subjects is sometimes quirky ("He ignored the large goldfish that bumped his elbow"—from "Narcissus"), but she doesn't shy away from the difficult subjects of abuse and recovery of memory. And then there are poems like "Chico's Tacos," which is so precise I can almost see the video. Now I want to go there.

The book is organized into seven sections based on the seven deadly sins and the seven virtues. I don't think one reading is enough to explore how all the sections work together, but I look forward to spending more time with this book in the future.

I also liked Luna's first book, Pity the Drowned Horses. My favorite poem from that collection, "Ambition," is about runners, and running, and crossing the border, and passion—for a place, for people. But I think the poetry in Seven is more assured, and the language is more playful.

Note: I have taken poetry classes with the author, and I found her to be as good a critic as she is a poet.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely talented poet who details in masterful poetry abuse and ultimate recovery. Poet also mixes myth and legend with modern life. An important work of poetry!

[Christine Granados · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luna's talent is beyond words. She writes about something ugly like sexual abuse and makes it into a thing of beauty. She does this without the graphic, sensationalist scenes I have read in so many other poetry books at the hands less skilled poets. Her focus is on healing and through the act of healing there is beauty, strength, and possibility. Plus, there are some hilarious poems about socioeconomics that will have working class people nodding their heads and saying amen, amen. She is a rare talent.