Abroadia joins the Nuyorican poetry community in lamenting the passing of Miguel Algarín, the poet who inspired and drove that literary movement in the 1970s and 1980s. Mr. Algarín passed away on November 30th at the age of 79.
In an era where the the literary power of the spoken word of poetry has been supplanted by the hard scrabble and pulsating rawness of rap music, Mr. Algarín’s words still remain relevant and inspiring. Who will be the next Miguel Algarín? Time will tell.
We can enjoy his work. From his poem “Survival” we recall these powerful lines:
i resist being humanized
into feelings not my own—
the struggle is really simple
i will be born
Rest in peace, Miguel Algarín.
Photo credit: Paul Hosefros/The New York Times