Borrowed Bones: New Poems from the Poet Laureate of Los Angeles

by Luis J. Rodríguez, Martín Espada (Foreword)

Foreword by Martín Espada This chapbook collection offers new poems from the prolific career of a community leader, activist, and healer. Luis J. Rodríguez’s work asks profound questions of us as readers and fellow humans, such as, "If society cooperates, can we nurture the full / and healthy development of everyone?" In his introductory remarks, Martín Espada describes the poet as a man engaged in people and "Luis Rodríguez is a poet of many tongues, befitting a city of many tongues. He speaks English, Spanish, ‘Hip Hop,’ ‘the Blues,’ and ‘cool jazz.’ He speaks in ‘mad solos.’ He speaks in ‘People’s Sonnets.’ He speaks in the language of protest. He speaks in the language of praise."  

Genres: Poetry

48 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2016

About the author

Luis J. Rodríguez (b. 1954) is a poet, journalist, memoirist, and author of children’s books, short stories, and novels. His documentation of urban and Mexican immigrant life has made him one of the most prominent Chicano literary voices in the United States. Born in El Paso, Texas, to Mexican immigrant parents, Rodríguez grew up in Los Angeles, where in his teen years he joined a gang, lived on the streets, and became addicted to heroin. In his twenties, after turning his back on gang violence and drugs, Rodríguez began his career as a journalist and then award-winning poet, writing such books as the memoir Always Running (1993), and the poetry collections The Concrete River (1991), Poems Across the Pavement (1989), and Trochemoche (1998). He has also written the short story collection The Republic of East L.A. (2002). Rodríguez maintains an arts center, bookstore, and poetry press in L.A., where he continues writing and working to mediate gang violence.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luis Rodriguez's poetry reads with such vibrant, vivid emotion. I had the pleasure of being able to meet him last night at my university, and listen to him read his poetry like only he can, and I was in absolute awe of his voice, both spoken and written. I look forward to reading more of his material!

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

More poems from L. A. 's poet laureate I enjoyed the book only complaint is the book is to short.

[Dr. Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Poem to Los Angeles is simply breathtaking. I love his poetry so much; hearing him read it is even better.