Editor’s Note

As mentioned in the Letras Latinas Blog a while back, the topic of poetry reviewing has been getting some interesting attention on the web, most notably in an online roundtable calling itself "Some Darker Bouquets," published by MAYDAY Magazine, in which no fewer than thirty-two poets, editors, and critics have weighed in. One of the underlying themes of the discussion was the role of the "negative review" in poetry criticism—particularly the book review. This debate has prompted me to consider that a roundtable discussion on this very topic as it pertains to Latino poetry might be in order, at some point, in Latino Poetry Review. Based on some of the reaction(s) that resulted from at least a couple of the pieces in the inaugural issue of LPR, one can sense that there is, in fact, an array of opinions among various stake holders. Perhaps the time is ripe for such a discussion—one in which respectful dialogue is the order of the day. Any takers? Any suggestions on how such a roundtable could or should be framed? Let me hear from you.

In the meantime, a very belated welcome to Latino Poetry Review, number 2. I'll say right away: I am not satisfied with the lack of gender balance in terms of the poets whose work is discussed or reviewed here. I am disappointed and won't offer any excuses, except to say that this problem underscores the work that remains to be done. Having said that, there is better gender parity where the contributing critics are concerned. One other lament: we had hoped to include a review of Pat Mora's latest book of poems, Adobe Odes, to complement the interview she graciously agreed to, but which, in the end, fell through. We'll get it right next time.

Several of our other choices, however, were intentional and yielded exciting results. In this issue we commissioned two different reviews of one book (Roberto Tejada's Mirrors for Gold) to see what these different voices and interpretations might yield, and we also commissioned reviews from Notre Dame doctoral students, in this case Todd Thorpe and Heather Treseler, to get a sense of how up-and-coming poetry scholars are perceiving of and working with contemporaneous Latino poetry. Brenda Cárdenas also recommended one of her doctoral students at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Ann L. Stewart, who submitted a fine article on Juan Felipe Herrera, for which we are very grateful. A number of LPR's contributing editors also stepped to the plate in a variety of ways: penning reviews (Peter Ramos); conducting an interview (Maria Melendez), commissioning reviews (Rosa Alcalá); and inaugurating a new series that will offer close readings of single poems (Gina Franco). Part of the vision and plan continues to be for the entire roster of contributing editors to take ownership of LPR in ways that motivate and inspire them.

We are also glad to count on contributions from writers who participated in our inaugural issue, Craig Santos Perez and Emily Pérez. And we are, of course, pleased to welcome other writers who are contributing to LPR for the first time: Valerie Martinez, Carmen Giménez Smith, Barbara Jane Reyes, Jeff Sirkin, Steven Schroeder.

Latino Poetry Review is and will be a work-in-progress. Let us know what you think. Lastly a heartfelt thanks to my colleagues at the Institute for Latino Studies who once again made this issue possible: Editorial Consultant, Evelyn Boria-Rivera, Web Master Brett Keck; and Director of Communications, Caroline Domingo.

Francisco Aragón
Washington D.C.