I am not the first writer to consider poetry a form of storytelling. I draw upon many sources including my life (as in “Hot Tuesday on Rinaldi” and “Papa Wrote”), the lives of people I have had the honor of knowing (“Slip Dream” and “Why Did You Believe”), or news events (“Crossing the Border” and “Woman Gets Probation in Child Neglect Case”), to name a few obvious inspirations. Regardless of my poems’ roots, I have many to thank for helping bring my first book of poetry to life:
Heartfelt thanks to Pact Press for understanding my poetic vision and accepting my manuscript as the press’s debut title. May you sell many books!
Mil gracias to the wonderful writers Himilce Novas, Rigoberto González and Patty Seyburn who all offer kind words (blurbs!) in support of my book. Each of you has been an inspiration to me, and I deeply appreciate your selfless support of a fellow author.
I thank the editors of those lovely literary journals who bring poetry to readers and who first published many of the poems that make up this volume. Those journals are proudly acknowledged at the end of this book.
Over the years, I have become friends with so many writers, editors, educators, librarians, bookstore owners, and others who live in a world of the printed (and online) word. We are a community, and we are strong.
A special thanks to my parents, Miguel and Isabel Olivas, who made sure that their children had access to books. You instilled in me the joy of reading which is the first step to becoming a writer.
And, as always, I thank my wife, Sue Formaker, and our son, Benjamin Formaker-Olivas, who make my life joyous, meaningful, and delightfully crazy!