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Acknowledgments

ix acknowledgments i would like to thank my father, Alfonzo, for his courage, work ethic and love. my mother, Martha, for her strength, love, humor and for her understanding. both have taught me many things, and it is my hope that these poems will reflect their wisdom. also, i would like to thank my brothers and sister, Al, Anycia, and Andrew as well as the members of their loving families: Lisa, Chelsea, A.J., Adam, Jasmine, Brittany: Hal & Justin: Loriann, Rianna, Clorinda, Andrew Jr., Amber, and Amos for all of their support. i must also thank all of my abuelitas, and abuelitos for their gift of storytelling, their love, discipline, and sense of history. these poems echo what is and was important to them, family, culture, community and much more. also, thanks to all the tios, tias, primos y primas. a very special thanks to Bill (Guillermo) Tremblay, my friend, mentor, and wonderful writer, muchos gracias. to all my friends, past and present, for their support. thanks to Karen, Deanna, Mark, John, Steve and all the poets and writers who helped me shape these poems. also, a very special thanks to Mike, Alice, Miguel, Andrea, and Ana Maria, my creative and talented in-laws. thank you Michele for your inspiration and support. i love you dearly, and i could not have done this without you. ...