Nonfiction / Poetry
30 pages
5 Stars
This is a small collection, in the size known as ‘Chapbook.’ It is small but crammed full of big poems! Padilla opens with a sestina which may bring a tear, but will also bring a loud cheer at the end! At least I cheered after reading , “…She stretched a long / rope and baited the beast, yelled…/..She was not her mother, afraid.”
Her poems are pure unadulterated emotion, they are history—history of New Mexico and history of family. Not all are sad, Rustler made me hungry—and smile, Forbidden Friend called to mind portions of my childhood. A Santo Protects My Mother made me cry that I hadn’t thought of that. Taos Harvest, the last poem, another brilliant sestina, made me sob.
These poems are like a perfectly cooked and seasoned steak that has enough texture to make you know it’s beef, and flavor to die for. This is a small book, large poems, to be read and reread—often.
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