Publisher's Synopsis
"Acclaimed poet Jimmy Santiago Baca knows something is wrong with contemporary society. He's afraid "that the whole network / that connects us / and society together / is going to collapse / that our lives / will be dependent on tiny / little blue wires / that can't shake my hand / or share my joy, / that won't challenge the police / to stop beating a brown man / or can't do even something as small / and gentle as smile." In this collection of new poems, Baca expresses his sense of responsibility to use his gift for the greater good. "If not me, then who / speaks to money, power, privilege / if not / an ordinary man / then who?" He chastises those who use their connections to benefit themselves at the expense of the impoverished, imprisoned and undocumented. Frequently, he takes aim at poets and politicians who put their lucrative positions ahead of their constituents: "Governor, if you choose a career / where you have to ignore the tru
