Doña Julia and Other Selected Poems

By Alberto O. Cappas

Reviews

Clear. Natural. Poignant. These words accurately describe Alberto O. Cappas’ work.

Cappas understands the suffering and struggles of Puerto Ricans living in Mainland America as well as in Puerto Rico. His poetry traces their hopes, problems, and misconceptions from the island to the mainland where they discover that dreams do die hard.

In the poem "Suicide of a Puerto Rican Jibaro," one need not be Puerto Rican to identify with the alienation faced when entering a cold, foreign, and jungle-like world. Cappas successfully explores what such a drastic change can mean for a Puerto Rican away from his island, where he is the majority. In "...Jibaro," for the Puerto Rican man who emigrates to the United States, "A million times his body was raped by the unfriendly cold... to pursue the American Dream..."

Cappas is a relentless observer and commentator of what happens when a people leave their homeland, or forget where they come from, to pursue the uncertainties of the American Dream. His poetry, ironic at times, questions whether this dream does exist. In "A Spoken Secret," "Light skin Puerto Ricans forget to speak Spanish... and dark skin Puerto Ricans adopt hot combs to straighten their hair." In "Doña Julia," a woman is trapped like a mouse in America and so commits suicide as a last attempt to return to her homeland. And in "Maria," a young girl sits patiently thinking about her experiences in New York since leaving Puerto Rico and now waits "for the overdose (of a drug) to take effect."

Of course this is not to say that all Puerto Ricans who emigrate to the United States end up killing themselves but it does show that Cappas is keenly aware of a sort of cultural and spiritual death that happens to Puerto Ricans and other Latinos when they leave the tropical scenes and adopt certain American values. In the ironic humorous poem, "Her Boricua," a woman buys the Moon, tax-free, and invites her relatives and friends on weekend nights to "admire the beauty of her new possession." She tells them that in America, "you have the freedom to buy anything you want."

"Haiti in Puerto Rico" explores the death theme even further. "I recited useless words of a poem to an audience of Puerto Ricans, turned into zombies, refusing to break the spell of all the misfortunes."

Doña Julia and Other Poems by Alberto O. Cappas is a book filled with poetic stories, forceful and powerful imagery and messages that will stimulate all minds that come into contact with it. Cappas’ language is original and refreshing, which makes his writing very natural and uncluttered with abstractions. Cappas is correct, knows what he needs to say and clearly makes his point.

About Alberto Cappas’ Poetry
(From the Voice of the People)

"An extremely heart felt and thought provoking insight. Absolutely brilliant! Bravo!"
Stella Nkwanga (from the starlitecafe.com website)

"Congratulations! Maria's Journey is so believable. Anyone can write, but to make the reader feel and believe is a gift. Great job!"
Barbara Savage (from the starlitecafe.com website)

"Cappas’ poetry comes from the heart and the soul. Cappas truly captures the everyday people's hopes, dreams, and fears. I’m fortunate to know him - as a friend and as a poet"
Pedro Cordero, Bronx, NY

"This is an excellent poet, full of depth and meaning. Beautiful! For me, rhyme is just another tool. Not necessary...sometimes nice. It is the inner vision that flows through a piece, how it speaks to you, which really matters! Stunning work here. Love the flow and the vision you've created. Enjoying all of your poetry. You are so gifted!"
T.L. Stokes, Novato, California

"Que Dios te bendigo mi hermano! Your poems are slamming! I am also Puerto Rican and I've yet to tap into that side of my poetry. You're making me think, hermano! Keep up the fabulous work!"
Melissa Mendez, Nutley, New Jersey

Alberto Cappas is a wordsmith that paints images this side of the spiritual.  Those images invoke the hope and betrayal in our legacy to our youth.
Hugo Guzman, Washington Heights, NY

"Wonderfully deep! Your poems make me have to stop and think about what your really saying. Thanks for keeping the wheels turning in my head. A playwright would find gold in your material"
Frank W. Berger, Riverdale, NY

"Words are the most constructive or destructive instruments to nurture or discourage the potential in every child. I really appreciate the gift that God has given to you to express this truth. I could almost feel the force of the waterfall in your words. I can relate to the feeling -- so overwhelming."
Anthony Camacho, Bronx, NY

"I'm a teenager in today's society. It's not easy to always keep your goals in front of you. I've lost touch with some of my goals, Thank you for reminding me of them. You put the right feelings into your words. Keep it up!"
Beverly (from the starlitecafe.com website)

"Your poems are a true ode for all parents and children - If only people would take the time to believe all that is written within your work. Keep up the inspirational writing - it is worth more then gold!"
Ramona Montalvo, San Diego, California

"You are a very deep and thought provoking writer - a reality check as well. Your talent shines through your poems. I intend to read many more. Thank you!"
Elaina Silva, California

"I have read many of your poems. Your expressions speak volumes. The poem "Hide and Seek" especially touches my heart. You are an excellent writer."
Patricia Oehme, Kansas

"You left your reader wanting to read more--but that is the gift of a good writer."
Sylvia Lukeman, founding member,Poets Who Care, Liverpool, England, Great Britain

"Alberto's poetry was written in a time of innocence, rebellion and change. His poems are like short stories full of characters and situations that we can relate to. Finally, they have no time barrier and will be read by many generations of Latinos."
J. Enrique Rodriguez, Bronx, NY

"Alberto encapsulates the essence of the soul. Read it, enjoy it - share it!"
Angelica Aquino, journalist & attorney, New York City, NY