Hustle

by David Tomas Martinez

"David Martinez is like an algebra problem invented by America—he's polynomial, and fractioned, full of identity variables and unsolved narrative coefficients. . . . Hustle is full of dashing nerve, linguistic flair, and unfakeable heart."—Tony Hoagland

The dark peoples with things:

for keys, coins, pencils
and pens our pockets grieve.

No street lights or signs,
no liquor stores or bars,
only a lighter for a flashlight,

and the same-faced trees,
similar-armed stones
and crooked bushes
staring back at me.

There is no path in the woods for a boy from the city.

I would have set fire to get off this wilderness
but Palomar is no El Camino in an empty lot,

the plastic dripping from the dash
and the paint bubbling like a toad's throat.

If mountains were old pieces of furniture,
I would have lit the fabric and danced.

If mountains were abandoned crack houses,
I would have opened their meanings with flame,

if that would have let the wind and trees lead my eyes
or shown me the moon's tiptoe on the moss—

as you effect my hand,
as we walk into the side of a Sunday night.

David Tomas Martinez has published in San Diego Writer's Ink, Charlotte Journal, Poetry International, and has been featured in Border Voices. A PhD candidate at the University of Houston, Martinez is also an editor for Gulf Coast.

Genres: Poetry

84 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2014

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Striking autobiographical poems from a former San Diego gang member. The themes can be rough – gang life, poverty, selling pot, stealing cars, shootings – but the language elevates the struggle. Many of the poems are long multi-parters; a lot are also prose poems delivered in large text blocks. (I must say I prefer more traditional verse forms.)

The stand-out poem is the eighteen-page “Calaveras,” which reads like a potted memoir; here’s a taste:

“I spoke in the twist
of fingers to gang signs.
In the color of shoe laces
Or which way my brim was tilt”

I imagine this book would appeal especially to fans of We the Animals by Justin Torres.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetry as thrilling and raw as life can get. Martinez, a former California gang member, writes in a voice that is not just familiar to many Latinos, but IS their voice: complex, yet plain, and intricate yet direct, Spanish and English, each used to complete a thought and enrich it.

[Jesica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was reading the other reviews and not sure if the other reviewers know Martinez personally but they are assuming from his poems he was a gang member. ??? I do not get that from his poems. yeah, they mention violence and being poor and ppl being killed but that doesn't necessarily mean someone is in a gang. but I could be wrong maybe he was a gangsta. But to me, his poems make him sound like a gangsta wannabe.

Anyways, if you are new to poetry you will like this book of poems/stories. Actually these poems work better as stories then they do as poems. I am not new to poetry so I found Martinez's poems meh. And that includes his images, just meh. Instead of listening to Martinez regale me with his "stories," which are entertaining, so I did give him two stars, I would have liked to seen him dig a bit deeper. Exactly how does the violence he saw/partaken in effect him. I want to see/feel the stories below the tattoos. And I want more than just blood, give me the bone marrow.

I would have also liked to read more about Martinez's playa/hustler status concerning women. He mentions women a few times but breezily brushes them off, which I can't help but associate that with his bedside manner. Come on, man, give me the meat and bones (marrow), quit teasing, but maybe he is just a tease. I really want to know what makes a playa play? I get the feeling that most playas don't want women to know why they play. We would just be too disappointed. His poem, The Mechanics of Men, Martinez states that one night stands "never really gets old." And for him, I'm sure he's right, after his divorces (on his third wife), he will have lots o' fun bedding many young grads (Martinez is working on his PhD, presuming to become a professor).

Martinez should have less tattoos; he might not have so many divorces.

I look forward to not reading anymore of his poems.

[Ja'net · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really hated this book. I read the entire thing cover-to-cover in a few days, and I cannot tell you about a single poem. It was as if each line erased the one before it. Unlike some readers, I didn't necessarily struggle to believe that Martinez experienced the life he chronicles in these poems; I struggled to decipher what that life actually was. I vaguely remember something about tattoos, a mention of sex here and there, a poem containing stolen cars, but what is this list of things supposed to add up to? What story is he trying to tell? And why? Every ending to every poem in this book left me with: So what?

And to top it all off, Martinez has no ear. The rhythm of the vast majority of the poems in this collection can be best described as: Sometimes the moon comes out at night/Sometimes it doesn't.

Neither truly narrative nor lyrical, a boring, tedious read. Hustle? Um...okay, whatever you say, man. But the book's not written by Jewel, so I'll throw a star at it.

[D.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Name says it all--

[Courtney LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of poems about survival, growing up, violence, sex, and family.

from Calaveras: "Outside, blue and red rotated / on the sheet over the window, / the tied ends on the curtain rod // flickered like Christmas / while cruisers converged // and black men ran and slid / across hoods. When / everyone was braceleted, // cops talked into their shoulders / in squawks and pauses, // picked up the spilled pockets / and tipped-over bottles, // laughing as they nudged / the boys against / the hoods of their cars."

from To the Young: "black male dressed / like a punk rock // hipster club kid / with teddy bears // tied to his sneakers: / you too are split // down the middle, / like your mother"

[Trey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this for the first time as a freshman undergrad. I skimmed its pages, plucked lines from the poems, and debated their relevance with classmates.

Four years later I finally sat down and properly read Martinez’s life story. Rereading poems, understanding their meaning, and realizing when some things just cant be understood. Martinez brought his 90’s San Diego youth to life in these poems. Fantastic read.

[Tom Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't read poetry for pleasure, although I like to hear it recited. That is when it comes alive. I read this collection for work. I enjoyed some parts of it. Others made little sense or no impression.
If you like urban poetry give this a try.

[amma.keep.reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable but i am definitely more of a fan of his second collection. i will continue to lookout for his work.

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 3/4 stars

[Dyan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Martinez's second collection (Post Traumatic Hood Disorder), but unfortunately this one just didn't resonate with me as much.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not really my style or subject matter, but it is definitely an authentic voice that should be heard.

[Karlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poet grew up in San Diego and writes about cars stolen to commit murder, sex, and teens whose grandmothers still love them.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, lyrical narrative poetry, by a wonderful young poet-- I can't say enough great things-- READ/BUY THIS BOOK!!!

[Ben]

Thinking about America. Or what America looks like in 2015 anyway.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really solid collection.