Martín Espada

“Advice to Young Poets

Never pretend
to be a unicorn
by sticking a plunger on your head.”
― Martín Espada

“A poem is not a pop-tart.”
― Martín Espada

“Even the most political poem is an act of faith.”
― Martín Espada

“In the republic of poetry, poets rent a helicopter to bombard the national palace with poems on bookmarks, and everyone in the courtyard rushes to grab a poem fluttering from the sky, blinded by weeping.”
― Martín Espada, The Republic of Poetry: Poems

“In the republic of poetry,
the guard at the airport
will not allow you to leave the country
until you declaim a poem for her
and she says Ah! Beautiful.”
― Martín Espada, The Republic of Poetry: Poems