Plantains and Our Becoming: Poems Paperback – August 22, 2023

I finished this collection of poetry a few hours ago, and I feel like all I can say is “Wow.” Poetry can be so powerful and moving and vulnerable, and these poems show all of those parts of the author and her writing. Melania writes about her Afro-Latina identity and how she has learned to embrace her heritage. Some of my favorite poems are shown in the pictures I posted. I really enjoyed how she used food and music to weave stories and describe her experiences and her sense of belonging. She explores so many topics, such as colonialism, self-love/belonging, displacement, racism, diaspora, family and ancestry, trauma, and traditions.Highly recommend.

A timely meditation of her experiences as an Afro-Latina girl and woman and child of immigrants. Thoughts and reflections of dealing with colorism, discrimination, depression, and struggling with assimilation. The reader is treated to how she found strength and pride in her roots, culture (the food, the language, the music, the art, etc.) to embrace first and foremost her Blackness to accept herself and discover her voice and self-worth. She notes colonialization’s debilitating and dehumanizing practices and goes deep within to redefine her identity in her own terms – making it 100% her own.This collection is sobering, inspirational, empowering, and for some, inspirational because there is no doubt others who have similar circumstances and experiences. There is also reverence for the mothers and grandmothers who had their own set of challenges and suffering, who survived failed marriages and relationships, and entered single motherhood involuntarily. She pays homage to her family members/the ancestors and celebrates the literary greats in verse (Toni Morrison, Lucille Clifton, and others), and references the musical greats (from Celoa Cruz to Megan the Stallation and Cardi B) who fueled her imagination and buoyed her confidence when it was lacking.I enjoyed every page - thanks to the author for sharing her gift and insights.Thanks to the publisher, Penguin Group Dutton, Tiny Reparations Books, and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.

Day 22 of #TheSealeyChallenge 2023. Plantains and Our Becoming by Melania Luisa Marte published by Penguin Publishing Group.@SealeyChallenge @penguinbooks @melatocatierra#thesealeychallenge2023 #sealeychallenge #poetryRich narratives and lyrical lyrics.Some of my favorite moments:All it takes is a particular shade of skin.Still zesty and firm, denying another man agency to comment on my body. Reminded that I am always the question mark at the end of, What are you mixed with?I learned fear before I learned words.I don’t know much about struggle, is what I have concluded.I giggle at the nerve of all this performative wokeness.i don’t know a growing pain stronger than being both living and not human.I wanna admit that it took a pandemic to teach me to rest.

These are poems about life. At times, it becomes too difficult to walk through another day. Some times it is easier to move to another location. One that is faraway. The miles do not matter. The experience matters. Living in a wealthier environment can slow down the pain. It can not take it away. Pain is for growth. Suffering with bread in your stomach softens the blows that come from mouths and weapons. By each poem the author, Melania Luisa Marte has placed an age. This is wonderful. It gives a better idea about when name calling began or when she really learned to appreciate her "Abuelita's" Grandmother's garden. Death dates are as important as our birth dates. It is the memories of those we love. The author states writing is cathartic. It eases what hurts us as it travels through our body.

This was a pretty decent collection of poems some are like mini short stories and memories, and personal experiences from the authors life. But overall the collection focuses on themes of identity, culture, home, and belonging. A few of the poems were very relatable and I loved the emotional depth and honesty shown throughout. Special thanks to the author, netgalley, & @tinybookreps for my advanced copy!!!Favorite poems:* Who Am I* On Colorism* Hecha Complete* Future is a Space* Dance With MeRating: 4/5⭐️

The poetry collection, Plantains and Our Becoming by Melania Luisa Marte, is beautiful and raw, covering a variety of biographical topics.Marte is an Afro-Latina whose family comes from the Dominican Republic. Her powerful poems touch on things like immigration, race, trauma, beauty, strength, and endurance.I really enjoyed this powerful collection. I listened to the audiobook, which she passionately narrates.

Beautifully written books of poems that speak to the lived experience of Afro-Latina people in a society that doesn’t recognize them. Furthermore, a society that they find hard to belong in without judgement. As an African American I was able to relate to some of these issues of racism, identity, and culture.Overall, this book was a great read especially considering it was the author’s debut. If nothing else this collection of poetry will make for a great discussion piece. I look forward to reading more from this author soon.

This poetry collection opens with the dedication “For all the lovers born the color of earth. This book is for us.” And that is what this collection does highlight the richness of culture and life experience of those with a darker hue especially from the Caribbean. The poet experiments with various forms: some short, some long. In the poem, mashing platanos, it can be read multiple ways: horizontally and vertically. Other poems acknowledge literary heritage, the poet pays homage to Lucille Clifton, Toni Morrison, Claude McKay, Suzi Q. Smith. The poems also incorporate recent tragedies like the death of Breonna Taylor. This collection is truly rich in depth and style. I plan to revisit it often.