X-Post: Martín Espada interview

Espada at Victor Jara Stadium
Originally uploaded by rattapallax

Matthew Rothschild, editor of The Progressive magazine, interviews Martín Espada.

Writing a poem, particularly a political poem, is ultimately an act of faith. You write the poem, you put it in the air, it becomes part of the environment, part of what we breath in collectively, and you hope then that it makes some difference to somebody.

A professor of mine at the University of Wisconsin, Herbert Hill, used to say, “Ideas have consequences. Ideas have consequences.” And I really believe that, especially with poetry.

– Martín Espada