This Poem Might Save You

by Jesenia Chavez

This Poem Might Save You (Me) is a collection of Spanglish poems that take you on a journey through the eyes of a Chicana from the streets of Los Angeles to the little town of Dolores, Chihuahua. Poems birthed from jammed freeways, crowded bars, classrooms, car rides, and travels with best friends. They come from heartaches, endings and beginnings, and hikes at the local park where crows caw and the coyotes run with the downtown LA skyline as a backdrop. Jesenia invites you to chuckle, laugh, roll your eyes, or even cry a little. Come on! Just buy the book already. You know you want to. Get inspired, get angry, and get reading.

122 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2022

Reviews

[Maribel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So vulnerable. So connected to the immigrant experience. The poems touched a special little hidden place in my heart ♥️

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This bilingual (English/Spanish/Spanglish) poetry collection offers so much that it was impossible to put it down, and like a fine meal you don’t want to save for later, I finished it in one sitting, savoring every word.

This Los Angeles based Chicana covered a wide range of topics that deeply resonated. And while some of the topics were heavy in nature, she lightened the load by sprinkling her pages with her unique sense of humor. I have many favorites which include, I Am Not a Mom and Why Do You Care, Planned Parenthood Protesters, and, Una Hija.

A highly recommended must read!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone is who is woefully under-read in both Chicana authors and poets that use Spanglish, I found the collection to be at once a much-needed education, an inspiration, and a breath of fresh air. Chavez’s collection speaks to the soul of Southeast Los Angeles, systemic injustice, Chihuahua, Mexico, immigration, the pandemic, and more—all with beauty, class, wit, reverence, and strength.

Go read these poems. They will save you (us) time and time again.