Floricanto En Aztlan [Paperback]

With these one hundred poems Alurista created a highly original poetics that upset the literary conventions of the era. Floricanto en Aztlan was published in 1971, a time of Chicano activism and the search for a Chicano identity. Using Azta!n, the mythical homeland of the Aztecs, as a unifying metaphor, the poet inspired his readers, cultivating pride in their cultural past. The poems blend English, Spanish, and references to the indigenous languages of Mexico to explore themes of alienation and exploitation in a decidedly Chicano voice.

This new edition of Floricanto en Aztlan, Alurista's first book of poetry, includes a new preface by the poet.

Alurista's play with language, his transnational perspective on politics and economics, and his manipulation of time break down the barriers between people, place, and history with the ultimate goal of liberation and self-actualization. -Marissa Lopez, Melus