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“Alurista, the proto-poet laureate of Aztlan whose enigmatic nom de plume has long been synonymous with Chicano poetry, returns with a pristine and rarefied homecoming coda. ZAZ (in Caló: “bam!” or “right on!”), recalls classic Spik in Glyph? multi-dimensional sonic, phonetic and textual word play burnished by astonishing and unapologetic interlingual English, Spanish, Nahuatl and Caló hybridity. The spare and resonant verse gathered in this arresting volume speaks to the mundane, the profane and the esoteric simultaneously. At once ceremonial prayer chants and oracular pronouncements, the poems shimmer yet remained anchored by a welcome formal purity. This collection brings the internationally acclaimed alurista—a leading voice at the historic, first-ever Festival de Flor y Canto (USC, 1973)—home as well to a dynamic new imprint named in honor of that venerated floricanto (“flower-song” from the Nahuatl) tradition.”—Abel M. Salas, Editor/Publisher Brooklyn & Boyle: Art, Culture & Community
Alberto Baltazar Urista Heredia, known as Alurista, is a Chicano poet and activist. He was born in Mexico City and moved to San Diego with his family at the age of 13. He earned a BA in psychology and MA in literature from San Diego State University, and a PhD in literature from University of California, San Diego. Alurista is one of the first poets to blend English and Spanish languages in his writing, as well as various slangs of both. He is the author of many books, including Xicano Duende: A Select Anthology (2011), Tunaluna (2010), As our barrio turns: who the yoke b on? (2000), Z Eros (1995), and Et Tu ... Raza? (1995). He has written many essays and literary criticisms on the Chicano Movement and on Chicano culture, which have been widely published in anthologies, journals, and newspapers.