Description

Nestled in the heart of Albuquerque is a vibrant cottonwood forest that has flourished for centuries along the Río Grande—providing a home for porcupines, migratory birds, coyotes, and other wildlife as well as a sanctuary for its city residents. Today, in the midst of climate change and the slow drying of the river, the bosque struggles to remain vibrant. As a former Albuquerque Poet Laureate, Michelle Otero champions this beloved Albuquerque treasure. In her debut poetry collection, Bosque, she celebrates the importance of water and the bosque to the people of Albuquerque. Otero shares her reflections on the high desert—where she is rooted, where she draws her strength, and where she has flourished—and she invites readers to do the same.

Genres

About the author(s)

Michelle Otero is a member of the Macondo Writers Workshop, founded by Sandra Cisneros for socially engaged writers to advance creativity, foster generosity, and serve community. She is also the author of Malinche’s Daughter.

Reviews

Ultimately, this is a collection full of praise poems, full of gratitude for herbs and rain, librarians and storytellers, brothels and the circus. The poet acts as chronicler of a place and all of its times.--Carla Panciera, Mom Egg Review

Michelle Otero's Bosque poems fuel multifarious definitions, including definitions of givers, art-makers, makers, and even the color brown. At the core of the poetry project is the consistent defiance to restrictive definitions and a call to recognize that we, just like water, are fluid.--Melinda Zepeda, Latino Book Review

Michelle Otero's Bosque poems fuel multifarious definitions, including definitions of givers, art-makers, makers, and even the color brown. At the core of the poetry project is the consistent defiance to restrictive definitions and a call to recognize that we, just like water, are fluid.--Melinda Zepeda, Latino Book Review