Americano

Americano: Growing up Gay and Latino in the USA is a groundbreaking collection from one of the most provocative voices in modern American poetry. The poems contained in these pages challenge mainstream sexual, political and religious beliefs reflecting unique experiences from the outskirts of the heartland. In pursuit of the American dream, this is a tribute to freedom and equality from an insider looking out while enjoying a piece of both the apple and lemon merengue pie.

“Emanuel Xavier's work begins in street poetry--angry, direct, and raw--but he complicates that style with sweetness, jokes, surprising details, grace notes, mystery, and sudden beauty. You never know where one of his poems will take you. There is anger in his humor, but love in his anger. He is fully in touch with a rich range of emotions. Just open this book to "Americano" or "Teresa" or "Elegantly Fucked" and see what I mean. He is a poet who is not afraid to feel--and say--anything.” —author Christopher Bram