At one time, Richard Vargas attended middle school in Lynwood, California, across the railroad tracks from Watts where Luis J. Rodriguez lived, but the two didn’t meet for the first time until almost 30 years later, when they were both living in Illinois. Vargas left his job with UPS in 1995 due to a back injury, listened to his creative spirit and moved from Southern California to Rockford, Illinois. He found himself working as the community events manager for the local Barnes & Noble and as poetry editor for the town’s weekly newspaper, The Rock River Times. He discovered that the Rockford school board was about to ban Luis Rodriguez’s book, Always Running, over passages that were read out of context and over the airwaves by an overzealous and opportunistic radio talk show host. The outrageous bias Vargas heard on the radio prompted him to write several columns condemning the banning of books. The Rock River Times set up a town hall meeting for Luis Rodriguez to come up from Chicago and defend his book by debating some of the ultra-conservative school board members in public. Rodriguez’s visit was partially successful, receiving coverage on TV, print, and radio. During that month, Always Running became the top selling book at the local Barnes & Noble. But in the end, the school board had their way and banished Luis’ book from the school libraries. Richard has considered Luis his comrade-in-arms ever since then, and in 2007, Luis Rodriguez and Tia Chucha Press published Vargas’ second book of poetry, American Jesus.
For the new year, the poet finds himself again at a crossroads, ripe for reinvention. However, this time, his situation is vastly different as he continues to pursue his poetry. Last year he has received an MFA with distinction from the University of New Mexico and he is the publisher of The Más Tequila Review, a poetry journal with the byline, “Poetry for the rest of us.” He has completed a new poetry manuscript and is searching for a publishing home for his book and a professorship job to take him to his new home, wherever that might be. He only knows that with his MFA completed, he will regretfully have to look outside New Mexico in search of a job where he can use his degree, and leaving the supportive literary community he calls home will be a hard thing to do. Vargas admits he’s a fresh voice outside the canon, with additional experience in organizing literary events and publishing an independent poetry journal, making him a good addition to the right creative writing program. He values the years he’s spent as a graduate student and his too-short stint as the events coordinator for Alamosa Books in Albuquerque. “New Mexico has a vibrant, active poetry scene, and Albuquerque loves its poets.” Vargas said. “I’m really enjoying my time here. If you are a writer, Albuquerque, and New Mexico as a whole, is a great place to be.”
Last month, La Bloga featured a short film by Viridiana Martinez, “La LLorona,” based on Vargas’ poem children of the lost. http://vimeo.com/33003271
Of his poetry, Virgil Suarez, author of Spared Angola: Memories of a Cuban-American childhood, says, “Richard Vargas is single-handedly re-energizing contemporary poetry and the American vernacular.” Last year, Vargas’s non-fiction works were featured in Kweli Journal and National Public Radio’s All Things Considered.
One thing that has not changed for the distinguished poet is his desire to use his poetry to speak out against social injustice and the diminishing political voice of the working class. Last year, Vargas organized a fundraiser for the Occupy Movement. In his role as publisher of The Más Tequila Review, Vargas supports poetry that gives a voice to the many and takes a stand against the abuse of power by the few. The Winter 2012 issue of The Más Tequila Review will be available in early Feb.
Richard welcomes visits to his website.
Future Events for Richard Vargas
Richard will be joining Tia Chucha Press events at AWP in Chicago.
Michael Warr 12:00 noon
Patricia Smith 1:00 pm
Patricia Spears Jones 2:00 pm
Richard Vargas 3:00 pm
April 15, 3-5 pm, Richard Vargas reads with Margaret Randall, Lauren Camp, and ElaineUpton on the theme of “Family and Heritage.” Unitarian-Universalist Church, 107 W. Barcelona Rd., Santa Fe, NM.
when you beat me
Richard Vargas
does your arm tire
as you swing your
baton into the thud
of my flesh and bone
and you hear me
moan in pain
when you crack
my ribs and jab
my soft belly
do you feel like a
job well done when
you pin me on the
ground and harness
my wrists like a
rodeo cowboy
hogties cattle
no matter that
we are both looked
down upon by those
on their balconies
of glass and steel
who laugh and joke
as they spread caviar
on fancy crackers
that will never pass
our lips
while you choke me
knock me down
look at how they
raise their flutes
of exquisite champagne
sparkling in the sun
blinding you with
cold brilliance
and empty nods
of approval
***
Luis J. Rodriguez has two Los Angeles appearances this weekend (an opportunity to get your copy of Rodriguez's new book It Calls You Back signed:
Saturday, January 21, 2012 - Contributors to the PM Press anthology, "Send My Love and a Molotov Cocktail: Stories of Crime, Love and Rebellion," including Luis J. Rodriguez, John A. Imani, Larry Fondation, Penny Mickelbury, moderated by Gary Phillips, will discuss the intersection between fiction and politics. 2 to 3:30 pm at the William Grant Still Art Center, 2520 S. West View Street, L.A. CA 90016. Contact: 213-847-1540
Sunday, January 22, 2012 - Poetry reading at Avenue 50 Studio, 131 North Avenue 50, Highland Park, CA. 2 to 4 pm. Contact: Luivette Resto or Kathy Gallegos 323-258-1435
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Writing Workshop, limited space available, with Reyna Grande
Who: Anyone who is looking for a supportive environment, guidance, and encouragement.
How much: $100.00 for four sessions
Contact Reyna Grande at reynagrande@gmail.com for more information about the classes. If you are working on a fiction or creative non-fiction project and are looking for feedback on your work, and/or would like to learn more about the craft of writing, then this class is for you! Space is limited!
About the Author:
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Announcements for Melinda Palacio:
Two reviews of Ocotillo Dreams came in this week. The Los Angeles Examiner by Frank Mundo and the first review in Spanish by Lydia Gil for EFE.
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