Letters to the Poet From His Brother

Still grieving over the loss of an inseparable brother, a poetic hero who tragically succumbed to cancer, Maceo Montoya laments over his loss through memories and paintings. Skillfully melding his artistic images with his recollections, the eulogy becomes transformed into a haunting dirge. The reader is compelled to follow his reflections and meet not only the brother, but his admirable father who is also an artist. While traveling through these letters, questions arise regarding the recognition of the Chicano/a in the states, the author feels at limbo in this home that at the same time is not his home. Currently the author is teaching at the University of California in Davis, nonetheless, he relates the arduous journey traveled to achieve his artistic recognition and academic acceptance. The publication is an elegantly creative production, the layout of the elegiac text separated with the artist’s paintings, both in color and black & white, along with a pull-out section, and individual renderings of art work, make this an exceptional gift for the reader. While some may find the paintings somber, these artistic renderings boldly portray a culture this author wishes to define and promote.