Poetry Journal: "The Lost Worlds"

There is a general theme of "lost worlds" among these poems; a loss of culture, land, people, spirituality, and even food. In the poems, "Roots" and "Dust-Bowl Memory", by Jimmy Baca, there is a sense of loss through land. "Roots" deals with the loss of land, which was primarily taken away from the narrator and his family. He makes the connection between his father and a cottonwood tree, which signifies the mistreatment both have gone through, yet at the same time both will always have roots in that land. "Dust-Bowl Memory" deals with the loss of a time, both bad and good. It is a lost world that recalls an unbiased opinion of someone who appreciated the Mexican people's contribution to crops. "African Things" by Victor Hernández Cruz, deals with a lost culture; an African background. I believe that the use of the word "things" is used, because the poet doesn't know much about these "african things", but makes a good point that his grandmother does. This indicates that the lost culture can still be found within his grandmother, and the narrator craves to know more.

Diane de Anda's poem, "Abuelas", is interesting because it signifies the loss of a generation; not only is there a loss of generation, but also a loss of those stories, sayings (dichos) and life lessons. The last word, "APAGADO", deeply affects the poem as it signifies the death of de Anda's real grandmother, but she also relates it with the light of that generation and how it is now "turned off".

In "Finding Home", a poem written by Carolina Hospital, the narrator explores the loss of landscape. Her home is missed, but she is also getting used to America. The title itslef gives way to the idea that she is lost between two worlds, two homes.

Magdelena Gomez's "Mami", is about the relationship the narrator has with her mother. The constant code-switching embelishes the poem and gives the reader a visual of the existence of the mother that still exists within the narrator. "Curandera" by Pat Mora, pays homage to the "woman healer of latin america". It introduces the reader to the history of a curandera, which then guides us through her daily routine. The third stanza describes the curandera's talents, inspiration and reputation amongst the people. Serenity befalls the fourth stanza as the poem walks us through the curandera's nightly routine. Finally the fifth stanza, leaves the reader with the thought that she is one with earth, and that she follows the same routine as her surroundings.