Coyote’s Song

Description

Collected Poems and Selected Art of Carlos Cortéz Koyokuikatl

Edited by Carlos Cumpián and David Ranney
With commentary by René Arceo, Carlos Cumpián, and Fred Sasaki
March/Abrazo Press

Carlos Cortéz, Koyokuikatl (1923-2005) has left a magnificent legacy of political poetry along with visual images using scratchboard, linocut and block prints. Captured in this book, he also left us the example of tireless activism, including his poetry and art, all directed toward a new society. That lifetime venture, in his words, was to contribute to “a society that is more egalitarian, more loving of each other, more recognizing of the worth in each of us.”

Coyote’s Song not only contains Carlos’ poems and visual art, but also commentaries on his life’s work by some of those closest to him.

“Carlos Cortéz was our mentor, our educator, our wise man, our healer. He taught a generation of us how we could be both activists and artists. Carlos was one of the pioneers who opened the path of environmental concerns, indigenous roots, and neighborhood welfare. His poetry was all about rallying la gente. He taught me to make art accessible to everyone.”—Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street