Hijito

by Carlos Andrés Gómez

In Hijito—selected by Eduardo C. Corral as winner of the 2018 Broken River Prize—Carlos Andrés Gómez writes of brutality and beauty with the same urgency and with a truth that burns readily; it is a collection of survival instincts. As a vital and tender exploration and deconstruction of contemporary society, his poetry engages with America’s ever-changing landscape and the ways in which race, gender, and violence coalesce. Called “powerful, truthful, and sublime” by Cornel West, Gómez’s words are a necessary paean to hope and courage in the modern world.

Genres: Poetry

64 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2019

About the author

Hailed as a “truth-telling visionary” by Brass Magazine and a “lyrical prophet” by the Caymanian Compass, CARLOS ANDRÉS GÓMEZ has been dubbed "a leading voice at the forefront of the oral poetry movement" (The Punch). A former social worker in Harlem and the south Bronx and public school teacher in Philadelphia and Manhattan, Gómez has performed at over 200 colleges and universities and toured across North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa. Nominated for the Pushcart Prize and named Artist of the Year at the 2009 Promoting Outstanding Writers Awards, he is a two-time International Poetry Slam Champion (2006, 2010) and co-stars in Spike Lee's #1 movie "INSIDE MAN" (Universal Pictures) with Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, and Clive Owen. Gómez appears on the 6th season of HBO’s “RUSSELL SIMMONS PRESENTS DEF POETRY” – voted “Favorite Poet” of his episode by viewers. Most recently, he showcased his talent in MTV’s first ever poetry slam alongside hip hop luminary Talib Kweli.

GÓMEZ is the star of the Emmy® Award-winning "Respect Yourself" television spots by At Large Films and appears on the third season of the popular Showtime series "The L Word.” He is a two-time National Poetry Slam Finalist – once as a member of the renowned Nuyorican Poets Café's Slam Team that finished 2nd, and later with the NYC/louderARTS Slam Team that finished 3rd in the U.S. He's represented the United States at the Poetry Africa International Festival in Durban, South Africa and been a special guest performer at the MACY’s Passport Fashion Show. He's collaborated with Tony Award-winning tap dance legend Savion Glover on Broadway. In the past year, he was Guest of Honor at the Berlin International Literature Festival, headlined Central Park SummerStage, and opened the Campus Progress National Conference in Washington, D.C.

Over the past decade, Gómez has shared the stage with a diverse range of celebrated artists and icons, including Wyclef Jean, MC Lyte, Yusef Komunyakaa, Rosie Pérez, Pete Rock, Ntozake Shange, Toots and The Maytals, Immortal Technique, Reel Big Fish, Suzanne Vega, Saul Williams, Javier Colón and Mos Def.

Reviews

[Barton Smock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere between the ‘sly mirror‘ and ‘taut mirage’ of Hijito, poet Carlos Andrés Gómez sees ourselves in ourselves and then goes about the tender flesh-work of putting us there. Though I’m not sure we can keep death from acting like a child, or that we can trace the living back to life, the humane spacing claimed in this verse allows room for all to believe that to make dust of our chalk supply we must age death with our knowledge of where its bodies are. No matter how intricately dead we find ourselves while fixing the hair of the young and ruminating on how suddenly another thing exists to put a crib toy in its mouth, Gómez plays the long game in deconstructing the alibis oft given by brevity and, in doing so, reveals precision to be just another disguise that weaponry wears. If sorrow is a wannabe shadowmaker, Gómez is careful to cry over the correct form. Oh startled thunder, these are not noiseless meditations. Hijito is specific.

[cosyinbookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it. Read it. Just read it.

I had the pleasure of listening to Carlos live and I was amazed by the bravery in his words, the conviction of his speech and how humble he is as a person.

By far one of the greatest poetry pieces I've ever read. Everyone needs to read this.

[Leigh Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous, exacting look at humanity, masculinity, violence, and hope. Don’t miss this book.

[Lila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Inspiring! Great buy !!

[Adrian Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorites were "Poem About Death Ending in Reincarnation", "What Happened" and "Pronounced".

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readable and re-readable, these poems pull in pain then soothe through the language.

[Clarissa Blakely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every poem in this book is very special and had a very vivid image to share. My favorite poem was What happened, it was very haunting. I have also met this author and he is truly an amazing man.