Vincent Toro, a poet, playwright, and professor of Nuyorican heritage, challenges the notion that poetry is hard to understand. In his latest collection, Hivestruck, Toro explores the complex relationship between humanity and technology. He argues that poetry is deeply embedded in our daily lives, likening it to the natural flow of conversation or music.
Toro’s journey into poetry began from a place of personal struggle. “I was a child of bullying and abuse,” he shares. His early exposure to hip-hop, especially Public Enemy, inspired him to document his emotions through writing. This practice became his way of reclaiming his voice.
Toro’s mentor, whom he met at his aunt’s wedding in Puerto Rico, played a pivotal role in his life. The mentor, a seasoned figure in New York’s theater scene, encouraged Toro by calling him a poet. This recognition gave him a new sense of self-worth and opened doors to the arts, including Salvador Dalí exhibits and Latin jazz concerts.
In Hivestruck, Toro reflects on how technology has evolved from a useful tool to an all-encompassing obsession. He uses Rene Magritte’s painting of a pipe, with the text “This is not a pipe,” to illustrate the gap between reality and representation in our digital interactions. Toro critiques how technology, despite its connectivity, often fails to provide genuine human connection.
Toro’s poem “iSestina” examines the impact of constant digital scrolling on our lives, portraying how it depletes our time and energy. His work in Hivestruck serves as a celebration of creativity amidst technological change, blending musicality, humor, and deep reflections on our virtual interactions.
Other notable Latino authors to explore this September include:
Fabiola Anchorena’s Waiting for the Dawn (Tra Publishing, August): This picture book uses poetic language and rich illustrations to address the impact of forest fires. It tells the story of animals in a jungle where the sun and moon have vanished, emphasizing climate change and contributing to environmental efforts by planting a tree for every copy sold.
Víctor Montejo’s Kidnapped to the Underworld: Memories of Xibalba (The University of Arizona Press, August): Translated by Sean S. Sell, this book delves into the Maya underworld through Antonio Esteban’s near-death experience in 1920s Guatemala. It blends Catholic and Maya spiritual beliefs, offering a profound exploration of Guatemala’s cultural heritage.
Eugene Rodriguez’s Bird of Four Hundred Voices (Heyday, August): Rodriguez’s memoir highlights the role of music in bridging cultural divides. His creation of Los Cenzontles and collaborations with artists like Linda Ronstadt and Los Lobos showcase music’s ability to transcend boundaries and heal historical wounds.