Snake Poems: An Aztec Invocation

by Francisco X. Alarcón, Odilia Galvaan Rodraiguez (Editor), Juan Felipe Herrera (Contributor)

For beloved writer and mentor Francisco X. Alarcón, the collection Snake Poems: An Aztec Invocation was a poetic quest to reclaim a birthright. Originally published in 1992, the book propelled Alarcón to the forefront of contemporary Chicano letters.

Alarcón was a stalwart student, researcher, and specialist on the lost teachings of his Indigenous ancestors. He first found their wisdom in the words of his Mexica (Aztec) grandmother and then by culling through historical texts. During a Fulbright fellowship to Mexico, Alarcón uncovered the writings of zealously religious Mexican priest Hernando Ruiz de Alarcón (1587–1646), who collected (often using extreme measures), translated, and interpreted Nahuatl spells and invocations.

In Snake Poems Francisco Alarcón offered his own poetic responses, reclaiming the colonial manuscript and making it new. This special edition is a tender tribute to Alarcón, who passed away in 2016, and includes Nahuatl, Spanish, and English renditions of the 104 poems based on Nahuatl invocations and spells that have survived more than three centuries. The book opens with remembrances and testimonials about Alarcón’s impact as a writer, colleague, activist, and friend from former poet laureate Juan Felipe Herrera and poet and activist Odilia Galván Rodríguez, who writes, “This book is another one of those doors that [Francisco] opened and invited us to enter. Here we get to visit a snapshot in time of an ancient place of Nahuatl-speaking ancestors, and Francisco’s poetic response to what he saw through their eyes.”

Genres: Poetry

184 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1992

Reviews

[Ebster Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poems most really simple, but really clever.

One of my favorites:

Birds-
Snakes
In flight

(^I almost laughed at that one)

Another:

Face and Heart-

May our ears
Hear
What nobody
Wants to hear

May our eyes
See
What everyone
Wants to hide

May our mouths
Speak
Our true faces
And hearts

May our arms
Be brances
That give shade
And joy
[...]

Some of the poems seem to be more of a tribute to Aztec invocations, others are directly dervived. I wish there was a way to see whicthe difference...

The author based a lot of the content of this booj on the spanish inquisition document outlining Aztec spells, incantations etc. I'd like to read more about that document.

[Barbara]

I haven't decided whether or not I *like* this book yet. The project itself is interesting: to write in response to the (loaded) Spanish translations of (a Spanish Catholic priest/clergyman) Ruiz de Alarcon of a compilation of Nahuatl spells and incantations. I think, though, as this book is hailed as an important book, it's the dense presence of Francisco X. Alarcon's English translations of Ruiz de Alarcon's Spanish translations (circa 1630's)laid side by side with the original Nahuatl which is important. Francisco X. Alarcon's poems/poetic responses to Ruiz de Alarcon are lukewarm. There are a small handful which really "capture" something of the (mediated) original spells, the world views/cosmologies and relationships to the deities, but in this book which is a dialogue with Ruiz de Alarcon and with the various unnamed Nahuatl incantors/priests/healers, I would have liked to see more of Francisco's poems and poetic responses in his part of this dialogue.

Then again, I am considering Francisco's English translations of Ruiz de Alarcon's Spanish translations of the Nahuatl which is the dialogue.

[Arielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful trilingual (English, Spanish, and Nahuatl) book of poems that catalogs indigenous Mexican way of life including lore, spells for healing, methods of divination, historical accounts, and the day-to-day of modern indigenous and mestizo Mexicans. Some poems are succinct and hit close to home while others cover multiple pages detailing traditional customs of divination, praise for the farm/harvest, hunting, and healing.

The poems are beautiful, diverse, and filled to the brim with culture. It's easy to follow with side-by-side translations for the longer traditional invocations.

[Rahul Devaskar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franciso X. Alarcon was my teacher before I ever read his work. He taught Spanish literature, media and culture to us during a study abroad semester. Perhaps at the time I lacked the worldview, or emotional intelligence to understand his genius at the time. But I'm glad to say I do now.

Later in my adult years, I was applying to a graduate program and in desperate need of a letter of recommendation. I asked him, and without hesitation he offered. I don't even know if he remembered me, but his dedication to his students was just that--absolute.

Following his passing, I realized I needed to actually know him. To know his work that is to say. I picked up a copy of Snake Poems at a book store in SF. I really started reading Snake Poems during the Pandemic and WOW. The commitment to researching these spells, these stories, this world, is nothing short of powerful.

Overall loved the simplicity mixed with raw emotion, personal connection, and the underlying theme of decolonization. I wished I had the chance to talk to my teacher, Francisco X. Alarcon, about this work, but I'm glad his life produced a work that can inspire my own.. from this life or the next (or the last).

[Ri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This project as a whole is so inspiring to me. I thought that the idea of reclaiming texts written by your ancestors was a powerful choice. The fact that all the poems and invocations were recorded with the intent to be used maliciously by the Spanish, into a work that brings hope was beautiful. I also just loved the way these poems were organized and thought it had a good flow showing the cycle of life and rebirth.

[Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeless poems.

[Eric Castro · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important project. I expected a stronger respond by Francisco X. Alarcón but I understand his preference in align himself with Nahuatl people in a spiritual way.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snake Poems by Francisco X. Alarcon (1992)

[Pam Escarcega · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was intrigued with Francisco's research, & the audacity of this project. Standing alone, the poems spoke to me in their vivid simplicity, but, then, I love his work as a whole.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of these were so short that it was hard to get a feel for what was happening. I'm not sure the two texts commented on each other as much as I wanted them to.