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The Ghost of Caesar Chavez: Poems

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In one of David Dominguez' poems he mentions William Carlos Williams. The influence of Williams is definitely evident in the focus on the "little things" of life: driving down the road, laying tile, pulling up a rug. Yet, Dominguez voice is his own. He draws pictures of his life that began as the grandson of poor immigrants and culminates in his life as a college professor. It is this journey and the tension between cultures that will connect with so many individuals.

Many of his poems deal with building a new home. This fulfillment of the "American Dream" brings with it a tension. He is the "boss" while other Latino's struggle to build his home. He sees a gulf that exists uncomfortably between himself and these workers.

Dominguez perfectly expresses this sense of loss in "success." Many of us who come from working class or even working poor backgrounds can relate to the mixed feelings of satisfaction in our success and yet realizing that it forever separates us to some extent from our own heritage.

As I read many of these poems I was reminded of Liza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. At one point she returns to Covent Garden where she had grown up. The same flower sellers she had lived with did not recognize her and tell her that this is no place for a "lai-dee."

Dominguez writes about these experiences with an easy language that make you feel that you are not so much reading poetry as having a conversation with the author.

All in all, this is well worth reading.