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C-Train and Thirteen Mexicans
Jimmy Santiago Baca's brilliantly received memoir, A Place to Stand, earned him the prestigious International Prize and offered a keyhole view into the brutal personal history that shaped -- and continues to inform -- his raw, incisive voice. In C-Train and Thirteen Mexicans, he trains his hallmark lyrical intensity on the dark underbelly of addiction and takes us on an unforgettable guided tour of the darkest corners of a brutal, unjust world. C-Train is a heartstopping series of episodes from the life of Dream-boy, a young man who finds himself seduced, and later enslaved, by the siren song of cocaine. Part paean to the delicious power of intoxication, part lament for those helplessly under its power, C-Train is a ride its hero, and the reader, struggle to get off. In Thirteen Mexicans, Baca writes of the Chicano community and the gulf between the American dream and American reality. In searing, elegiac vignettes he portrays the raw beauty of life in the barrio and the surreal, stomach-turning moment when people of color must confront how they are reflected in the distorted mirror of white society. Giving voice to the dispossessed and the disenfranchised, Baca illuminates the most unforgiving landscapes; yet his is a vision tempered by a searching hopefulness that brings these collections inching toward redemption. Baca's latest achievement will confirm his place as one of the nation's leading poets, a poet whose words "heal, inspire, and elicit the earthly response of love" (Garrett Hongo). "[Baca] writes with ... an intense lyricism and that transformative vision which perceives the mythic and archetypal significance of life-events." -- Denise Levertov
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2002
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110 people want to read
About the author
Jimmy Santiago Baca
64 books193 followersJimmy Santiago Baca of Apache and Chicano descent is an American poet and writer.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 25, 2024
Values and perspectives are created by hardships and community, helping shape one’s goals and adaptability to create a better life. Jimmy Santigo Baca’s collection of poems in C-train and thirteen Mexicans reflects upon his adulthood and the incarceration of addiction. This collection delves into experiences of underrepresented communities in the US and the back and forth struggle of a never-ending cycle of drug addiction.
The first poem, “One” introduces Baca’s background indulging into his present life and the family he is about to start. Reflecting upon his past and that has shaped him into a dreamer that he currently is, “ I dream of many things: good life, good job, good friends.” Baca came from an impoverished community where mentorship was scarce, this reveals that although faced with a bad childhood, young children with a marginalized background still have hope and are dreamers that want to fulfill their picture-perfect dreams. The pathway painted for oneself isn’t always as straightforward, “We took as much care and forethought with our coming child…And then that night in March, Willy walked into our lives.” Reflecting on the adversity that chains him to his dark past, “I just wanted to test some. I had quit using it a year ago…” he offers insight into the stalker-like feeling of having a drug addiction.
The past, no matter how traumatizing, will always find a way to influence present life. Baca’s collection of poems recalls the first instances of jealousy of others fulfilling their dreams while cocaine ruled over him. In the first section of “C-train,” the poem “Four”
“downy feathered cocaine flakes
volcanized seismic meanings
for me and avalanched
me downward
into five feet eleven inches”
This poem draws attention towards the impact and power of addiction all while being able to view drugs in a glorified manner. The desire to be anyone other than oneself creates a tone/mood of empathy especially when it comes from a young teenager who was an orphan such as Baca himself. Typically at a young age, children are to be nurtured and disciplined adequately so that they grow up to be kind and resilient, “While others drifted/ in the happy thoughtless pause/ between teenage years and maturity/ my business associates/ offered lines…” This gives insight to the world that dominates over children who don’t have a role model to look after.
Within the same section, Baca transitions from jealousy to regret, several of his poems poke at the idea that friends are never real and the will to move forward is dependent on the individual person. The constant usage of figurative language enhances the desperation and sorrow that is continuously experienced as one tries to find their values in life. In “Eight” through imagery and simile:
“I invented myself
like a painter splashing my destiny on canvas
in red passion,
blue sorrow,
green nostalgia
yellow joy”
Here, the usage of imagery helps understand that Baca himself is willing to re-invent his ideology and embark in a journey of self discovery to fulfill his goals being the dreamer he is. The simile compares his work of art to that of a painter reflecting the way multiple experiences will be used to form an identity.
Throughout the collection of poems, the decision to change is difficult but not impossible. Constant usage of figurative language and the tone of hopefulness keeps Baca looking through the tunnel of dark experiences waiting patiently for the bright future he longs to have.
Being a minority in America is difficult, the constant remarks of poverty and immigration lead to the resilience that Mexican-American community (“chicanos”) have built. Thirteen Mexicans are immersed in the systematic limitations that are imposed and negatively impact the lives of Chicanos that often limit themselves to equal opportunities and resources that allow them to triumph.
The title rather than referring to a specific count is symbolic to the small amount of representation there is existing of Mexican-Americans throughout a country known to be diverse. This collection of poems sheds light on those unique experiences that allow the Chicano community’s voice to be heard. These poems acknowledge aspects of this community that try to be hidden, the poem “One” helps view discrimination in a positive way:
“let si señor slurp off our tongues to the patronizing bullsh*t
let us smile at the pitying glances
let us celebrate the rape of our women
let us be devoured by their contempt”
Throughout this collection the exploitation of the Chicano community is recognized and further impedes the urge to alter the rich values and traditions that make up such a unique community. The repetitiveness of “let us” symbolizes this community’s continuous need to ask for permission from those that are deemed to have greater social value due to ethnicity or race.
Many of the poems convey the fear and aggression that often resulted in low self-esteem and no desire to think of a brighter future. Through imagery and metaphors Baca denotes the perspective of the lifestyle of a marginalized person going through areas that are deemed to be of socially higher class such as higher-level education. Poem “Twenty-three” reflects upon his intimidation experienced:
“My smile was the lizard
that quivered
on the classroom windowsill,
squirming close to the edge
for security.”
The Chicano Movement occurred during the 1960s advocating for the civil rights and empowerment of those descending from a Mexican background. Those growing up in that era (~2% of the US population) felt very unwelcomed from white community that dominated society. Much like Baca, Juan Herrera, David Montejano, Martha Cotera, etc. decided to express their anger and create an everlasting form of art that appreciates the Chicano community.
Baca’s collection of poems express two different yet similar topics focusing on minority communities, primarily that of Chicanos. In an artistic way, he uses metaphors, imagery, tone/mood, etc. to interpret the need to provide those with a harsh upbringing and addiction with guidance for the betterment of their future and that of their loved ones. “And in the picture all our faces would be stern/ and there would be empty black spaces/ representing those dead ones/ who have become ashes.” This prompts the idea of embracing one’s culture and to never allow anyone or anything to take control of the most precious aspect you own: your body and thoughts.
The first poem, “One” introduces Baca’s background indulging into his present life and the family he is about to start. Reflecting upon his past and that has shaped him into a dreamer that he currently is, “ I dream of many things: good life, good job, good friends.” Baca came from an impoverished community where mentorship was scarce, this reveals that although faced with a bad childhood, young children with a marginalized background still have hope and are dreamers that want to fulfill their picture-perfect dreams. The pathway painted for oneself isn’t always as straightforward, “We took as much care and forethought with our coming child…And then that night in March, Willy walked into our lives.” Reflecting on the adversity that chains him to his dark past, “I just wanted to test some. I had quit using it a year ago…” he offers insight into the stalker-like feeling of having a drug addiction.
The past, no matter how traumatizing, will always find a way to influence present life. Baca’s collection of poems recalls the first instances of jealousy of others fulfilling their dreams while cocaine ruled over him. In the first section of “C-train,” the poem “Four”
“downy feathered cocaine flakes
volcanized seismic meanings
for me and avalanched
me downward
into five feet eleven inches”
This poem draws attention towards the impact and power of addiction all while being able to view drugs in a glorified manner. The desire to be anyone other than oneself creates a tone/mood of empathy especially when it comes from a young teenager who was an orphan such as Baca himself. Typically at a young age, children are to be nurtured and disciplined adequately so that they grow up to be kind and resilient, “While others drifted/ in the happy thoughtless pause/ between teenage years and maturity/ my business associates/ offered lines…” This gives insight to the world that dominates over children who don’t have a role model to look after.
Within the same section, Baca transitions from jealousy to regret, several of his poems poke at the idea that friends are never real and the will to move forward is dependent on the individual person. The constant usage of figurative language enhances the desperation and sorrow that is continuously experienced as one tries to find their values in life. In “Eight” through imagery and simile:
“I invented myself
like a painter splashing my destiny on canvas
in red passion,
blue sorrow,
green nostalgia
yellow joy”
Here, the usage of imagery helps understand that Baca himself is willing to re-invent his ideology and embark in a journey of self discovery to fulfill his goals being the dreamer he is. The simile compares his work of art to that of a painter reflecting the way multiple experiences will be used to form an identity.
Throughout the collection of poems, the decision to change is difficult but not impossible. Constant usage of figurative language and the tone of hopefulness keeps Baca looking through the tunnel of dark experiences waiting patiently for the bright future he longs to have.
Being a minority in America is difficult, the constant remarks of poverty and immigration lead to the resilience that Mexican-American community (“chicanos”) have built. Thirteen Mexicans are immersed in the systematic limitations that are imposed and negatively impact the lives of Chicanos that often limit themselves to equal opportunities and resources that allow them to triumph.
The title rather than referring to a specific count is symbolic to the small amount of representation there is existing of Mexican-Americans throughout a country known to be diverse. This collection of poems sheds light on those unique experiences that allow the Chicano community’s voice to be heard. These poems acknowledge aspects of this community that try to be hidden, the poem “One” helps view discrimination in a positive way:
“let si señor slurp off our tongues to the patronizing bullsh*t
let us smile at the pitying glances
let us celebrate the rape of our women
let us be devoured by their contempt”
Throughout this collection the exploitation of the Chicano community is recognized and further impedes the urge to alter the rich values and traditions that make up such a unique community. The repetitiveness of “let us” symbolizes this community’s continuous need to ask for permission from those that are deemed to have greater social value due to ethnicity or race.
Many of the poems convey the fear and aggression that often resulted in low self-esteem and no desire to think of a brighter future. Through imagery and metaphors Baca denotes the perspective of the lifestyle of a marginalized person going through areas that are deemed to be of socially higher class such as higher-level education. Poem “Twenty-three” reflects upon his intimidation experienced:
“My smile was the lizard
that quivered
on the classroom windowsill,
squirming close to the edge
for security.”
The Chicano Movement occurred during the 1960s advocating for the civil rights and empowerment of those descending from a Mexican background. Those growing up in that era (~2% of the US population) felt very unwelcomed from white community that dominated society. Much like Baca, Juan Herrera, David Montejano, Martha Cotera, etc. decided to express their anger and create an everlasting form of art that appreciates the Chicano community.
Baca’s collection of poems express two different yet similar topics focusing on minority communities, primarily that of Chicanos. In an artistic way, he uses metaphors, imagery, tone/mood, etc. to interpret the need to provide those with a harsh upbringing and addiction with guidance for the betterment of their future and that of their loved ones. “And in the picture all our faces would be stern/ and there would be empty black spaces/ representing those dead ones/ who have become ashes.” This prompts the idea of embracing one’s culture and to never allow anyone or anything to take control of the most precious aspect you own: your body and thoughts.
March 7, 2023
2.5
I was honestly enjoying this until the vignette re: the lack of diversity in American racial politics, some of the blame felt misplaced.
I was honestly enjoying this until the vignette re: the lack of diversity in American racial politics, some of the blame felt misplaced.
March 13, 2020
Baca and this book were grand, unexpected discoveries that will fuel the search for more of his life-affirming, truth-telling, and unpretensious odes to justice, plight, and potential.
January 8, 2025
The poet drives his pain through the moon’s heart like a sparrow’s beak in the soft ripe peach.
my life vibrating with the ritual torch of a new beginning,
While scholars and academics from prestigious universities write endless volumes about the slavery days, I wonder why they overlook the slavery prevalent today with my people.
You should know that poetry deserves more than a hee-hawing mule bowing its head onstage to the roaring applause of an audience mad about appearance and ignoring the substance.
my life vibrating with the ritual torch of a new beginning,
While scholars and academics from prestigious universities write endless volumes about the slavery days, I wonder why they overlook the slavery prevalent today with my people.
You should know that poetry deserves more than a hee-hawing mule bowing its head onstage to the roaring applause of an audience mad about appearance and ignoring the substance.
Want to read
July 10, 2008I really enjoy his poetry, but never made it through his memoir (memoirs are really not my style), but I like the idea of vignettes in the 13 mexicans. So, even though it is not on one of my booklists, I think I will give it a try.
December 24, 2008
The title story makes this book worth picking up. I saw Santiago Back do a reading of this story a few months back and was very impressed by him too.
April 30, 2011
i read the first half, c-train.
February 23, 2014
You never LOSE with a Baca collection! JUST GET IT! He's lived it and speaks it without hesitation or bullshit!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews