Stories And Poems Of A Class Struggle / Historias Y Poemas De Una Lucha De Clases: Bilingual Edition

Description

Poems of revolution by one of Latin America's most beloved poets One of Latin America's greatest poets, Roque Dalton was a revolutionary whose politics were inseparable from his art. Born in El Salvador in 1935, Dalton dedicated his life to fighting for social justice, while writing fierce, tender poems about his country and its people. In Poemas clandestinos / Stories and Poems of a Class Struggle, he explores oppression and resistance through the lens of five poetic personas, each with their own distinct voice. These poems show a country caught in the crosshairs of American imperialism, where the few rule the many and the many struggle to survive-and yet there is joy and even humor to be found here, as well as an abiding faith in humanity. In striking, immediate, exuberantly inventive language, Dalton captures the ethos of a people, as stirring now as when the book was first published nearly forty years ago. "I believe the world is beautiful," he writes, "and that poetry, like bread, is for everyone."

ROQUE DALTON (1935-1975) was an enormously influential figure in the history of Latin America as a poet, essayist, intellectual, and revolutionary. As a poet who brilliantly fused politics and art, his example permanently changed the direction of Central American poetry. The author of eighteen volumes of poetry and prose, one of which (Taberna y otros lugares) received a Casa de las Americas prize in 1967, his work combines fierce satirical irony with a humane and exuberant tenderness. His legacy extends beyond his achievements as a poet to his political writings and political work in his native El Salvador. JACK HIRSCHMAN is a poet and translator. Among his recent collections of poetry is The Arcanes #2 (2019)He has translated poets from 9 languages. He is an emeritus Poet Laureate of San Francisco. CHRISTOPHER SOTO's debut poetry collection, Diaries of a Terrorist, was published by Copper Canyon Press. This collection demands the abolition of policing and human caging. It was honored with them's Now Award in Literature for representing the cutting edge of queer culture. TATIANA MARROQU N is a Salvadoran feminist economist and critic of capitalism and the ideas supporting it. She has experience working in finance and tax policy legislation, and is currently an independent consultant on issues related to economic rights, gender equality, and social protection. JAIME BARBA is a social researcher and director-editor of Istmo Editores. He graduated in philosophy and sociology at the Jesuit University of San Salvador and was political advisor to the Technical Secretariat of the Presidency 2009-2014. Poet, independent scholar, photographer, translator, and social activist MARGARET RANDALL was born in New York City and grew up in New Mexico. Taking active part in the Mexican student movement of 1968 and then living in Cuba for eleven years and Sandinista Nicaragua for four, Randall returned to the United States in 1984, only to face deportation when the government declared her writings "against the good order and happiness of the United States." With the support of many, she won her case in 1989. Randall is the author of more than two hundred books, including Che on My Mind (2014), Time's Language- Selected Poems 1959-2018, and I Never Left Home- Poet, Feminist, Revolutionary (2020). She received the Poet of Two Hemispheres award from Poesia en Paralelo Cero, Quito, Ecuador, AWP's George Garrett Award, and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of New Mexico, among other recognitions.

"This collection comprises five diverse personalities, all poets and each an aspect of the intricate consciousness of one man, Roque Dalton, a Salvadoran writer who sought justice through verse as well as action and whose work is timeless. Dalton became an avid participant in the guerrilla army called the People's Revolutionary Army and at the same time began publishing poetry with political and sarcastic undertones that make his work so identifiable. . . . A great addition to any collection; recommended for all students and lovers of poetry." -Criticas "For those who aren't sure where El Salvador is, this book will locate it for them . . . in the heart of blood and bravery."-Lawrence Ferlinghetti "The Salvadoran guerrilla poet Roque Dalton is one of the greatest poets of Latin America. And one of the most original. In one thing he is unsurpassed: poetic humor, humor even when he wrote about something as tragic as his beloved El Salvador, for which he gave his life." -Ernesto Cardenal "Roque had a sense of life and struggle that enabled him to laugh at himself, dig beneath the surface and bring up the most difficult areas of human experience... touching them deeply, exploring them, and projecting them in a way both useful and beautiful." -Margaret Randall *** "Esta coleccion comprende cinco personalidades diferentes, todas ellas poetas y cada una un aspecto de la intrincada conciencia de un hombre, Roque Dalton, un escritor salvadoreno que busco la justicia a traves del verso, y tambien de la accion, y cuya obra es intemporal. Dalton se convirtio en un avido participante de la guerrilla llamada Ejercito Revolucionario del Pueblo y, al mismo tiempo, comenzo a publicar poesia con los matices sarcasticos y politicos que hacen que su obra sea tan identificable... Un gran complemento para cualquier coleccion; recomendado para todos los estudiantes y amantes de la poesia." -Criticas "Para aquellos que no estan seguros de donde queda El Salvador, este libro los ubicara... en el corazon de la sangre y la valentia"-Lawrence Ferlinghetti "El poeta guerrillero salvadoreno Roque Dalton es uno de los mas grandes poetas de America Latina. Y uno de los mas originales. En una cosa es insuperable: el humor poetico, el humor incluso cuando escribia sobre algo tan tragico como su amado El Salvador, por el que dio su vida." -Ernesto Cardenal "Roque tenia un sentido de la vida y de la lucha que le permitia reirse de si mismo, escarbar bajo la superficie y sacar a relucir las zonas mas dificiles de la experiencia humana... tocandolas profundamente, explorandolas y proyectandolas de una manera a la vez util y hermosa". -Margaret Randall