Lord, The people are biting their poverty With the gusto they used to apply To cheap pork chops. I know that pork chops are corrosive And fattening and habit forming. But Lord, Everything is getting better for people Who won't even notice it: Conspicuous Consumption is emblazoned On every store window, every automobile, Every bank's vault, every newspaper ad.
And me Lord, All I want Is to get a cheap Pork Chop While I still have a few teeth.
Lord, I feel like praying - Who is the Butcher Angel, Who is the Angel of Impossible Pork Chop causes?
This poem was written by Jack Agüeros. Jack Agüeros is one of the most accomplished and versatile of all Latino writers. Consider the range of his production in the last thirty years: poetry, short fiction, translation, plays, essays, theatre criticism, journalism, scriptwriting, childrens' stories. He has received grants and awards in three different disciplines--for poetry, fiction, and playwriting--which is a rare feat indeed. He has served the community since the 1960s as a political activist and cultural worker, directing the only Puerto Rican museum on the mainland for almost a decade. Nearing seventy, he is an elder who has earned our attention and respect. Yet he has not received the recognition and reward he deserves, either from the mainstream literary world or from the Puerto Rican literary community. This essay will explore the accomplishments of Jack Agüeros, focusing mostly on his poetry, and consider his place in the spectrum of Latino literature. From: http://www.martinespada.net/JACK_AGUEROS.html
I want you to tell me what you think this poem is about. Make sure you have evidence to support your ideas. If there are any ideas that you can come up with write it in you post. Everyone has ideas and no one is wrong!! Give it your best! Length: as long as necessary!!
Psalm for Missing Pork Chops (2006)
ReplyDeleteLord,
The people are biting their poverty
With the gusto they used to apply
To cheap pork chops.
I know that pork chops are corrosive
And fattening and habit forming.
But Lord,
Everything is getting better for people
Who won't even notice it:
Conspicuous Consumption is emblazoned
On every store window, every automobile,
Every bank's vault, every newspaper ad.
And me Lord,
All I want
Is to get a cheap Pork Chop
While I still have a few teeth.
Lord, I feel like praying -
Who is the Butcher Angel,
Who is the Angel of Impossible Pork Chop causes?
This poem was written by Jack Agüeros. Jack Agüeros is one of the most accomplished and versatile of all Latino writers. Consider the range of his production in the last thirty years: poetry, short fiction, translation, plays, essays, theatre criticism, journalism, scriptwriting, childrens' stories. He has received grants and awards in three different disciplines--for poetry, fiction, and playwriting--which is a rare feat indeed. He has served the community since the 1960s as a political activist and cultural worker, directing the only Puerto Rican museum on the mainland for almost a decade. Nearing seventy, he is an elder who has earned our attention and respect. Yet he has not received the recognition and reward he deserves, either from the mainstream literary world or from the Puerto Rican literary community. This essay will explore the accomplishments of Jack Agüeros, focusing mostly on his poetry, and consider his place in the spectrum of Latino literature.
ReplyDeleteFrom: http://www.martinespada.net/JACK_AGUEROS.html
I want you to tell me what you think this poem is about. Make sure you have evidence to support your ideas. If there are any ideas that you can come up with write it in you post. Everyone has ideas and no one is wrong!! Give it your best! Length: as long as necessary!!
ReplyDelete