Reading More: “The Poet X” by Elizabeth Acevedo
Any opinion on YA and novels-in-verse is irrelevant until you read The Poet X
For the month of April, aka National Poetry Month I read The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo a YA novel told in a series of verse poems. Xiomara Bautista, 15 going on 16, wants to share her poems, wants to explore relationships, questions religion, and the rules set by her parents and society.
Xiomara is aware of the barriers set in place by the people around her, but she defiantly breaks down walls in pursuit of her interests. Despite being well aware of the consequences Xiomara lives up to her name: one who is ready for war.
The novel is split into 3 parts: In the Beginning was the Word, And the Word Was Made Flesh, and The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness
In the Beginning was the Word introduces Xiomara and all the important people in her life: Xavier, her twin and foil, Caridad her BFF, Altagracia her mom, her dad, Father Sean, her pastor, Ms. Galiano her English teacher, and Aman a boy.
Clarification on Dating Rules marries the way dating for young girls is problematic but encouraged for young boys. The way religion influences these ideas. The way religion influences Xiomara’s mother, Altagracia, who establishes the rules, and Xiomara who feels guilty breaking the rules but is doing it anyway.
And the Word Was Made Flesh builds towards the inevitable — a secret relationship being ousted.
It’s beautifully paced and the way the moment is revealed is heartbreaking, heart-wrenching, and heart pumping.
Consequences seals Xiomara’s fate. A girl on lockdown. The first stanza is wonderful in that it marries imagery from previous poems capturing Xiomara’s thoughts on her punishment as it happens. It’s painful how beautifully it’s written.
What appears to be the climax is just the beginning.
The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness brings the saying “things get worse before they get better,” to life. Xiomara hasn’t even completely healed emotionally before being blindsided after her mother discovers her journal and all the poems written inside.
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly paces the confrontation.
The friction of two different perspectives builds and builds until a fire starts.
The only way for Xiomara to calm the flames is to seek Father Sean to mediate a dialogue with her mother and help heal the burns they caused one another.
Poetry, as opposed to a regular narrative, allows Acevedo to explore the ways religion, societal expectations, and house rules blend conflicting expectations on how a young girl should act. “You Don’t Have to Do Anything You Don’t Want to Do.” captures Xiomara realizing she is doing everything to appease everyone without considering herself.
Poetry allows Acevedo to effortlessly blends these three subjects together because poetry isn’t about capturing the place or the time or the things, it’s about capturing the essence of an experience — of a moment.
The structure of Poet X as a journal is genius. A journal is an extension of life, featuring the lows and highs. A journal is a way to process thoughts, feelings, and events and at 15 Xiomara’s life is defined by family, church, and friends. I know for a fact if I go through my old journals from that age, I’d find the same themes.
A journal captures vulnerability and Xiomara’s vulnerability pulls the reader in. Although characterized as someone quiet but willing to throw punches, we get to meet the softer side. The side of her exploring her craft, questioning the status quo, and falling in like. She is unreserved with her thoughts and feelings and hits on things every young girl growing up will resonate with. It’s why the structure, the setup, is important because without that perspective Xiomara would be a completely different character.
By using a journal Acevedo validates every thought a young girl may have Xiomara is a reminder that they are not alone.
Although, Poet X is about Xiomara finding her voice it is also an exploration of her relationship with her mother, Altagracia. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a Gilmore Girls-esque type relationship with their mother. Most mother and daughter relationships are complicated.
Perhaps it has to do with changing times. Younger generations of women are willing to fight against tradition, are willing to call out hypocrisy, and to many mothers, this is not only viewed as disrespectful but dangerous. There’s a reason woman are raised to be careful, cautious, and discreet — because there’s danger in being noticed.
This tumultuous mother-daughter relationship is an honest depiction. The mending is also an important one. Ms. Galiano suggests Xiomara talk to her mother. A conversation mediated by Father Sean. And even though Xiomara is ready for war, she is willing to extend an olive branch.
I was blown away by The Poet X. Acevedo not only did she do that but she also filled a gap in representation. Afro-Latina characters and Afro-Latina writers are few and far between. To read a book that mirrors my experience is heartwarming. To know that young women will grow up with this story waiting for them on shelves is soothing. But this isn’t just a story for Latinas, because Xiomara isn’t just a girl from Harlem with Dominican roots, this is a story for girls. This story serves as a reminder that you need to fight for the things you’re passionate about because, in the end, your life is yours.
Thank you to Elizabeth Acevedo, The Poet X is absolutely amazing, and thank you for continuing to share your words and artistry with us. I look forward to your next one — With the Fire on High.
Bonus April Reads
I Might Regret This (essays, drawings, vulnerabilities, and other stuff) — Abbi Jacobson
In I Might Regret This Abbi Jacobson of Comedy Central Broad City (which btw just ended for good) plans a road trip from New York to California after heartbreak. The moment that most sticks out to me is when she stands in the middle of a field in Utah. That moment is so personal and captures so much.
I love love — Varsha Iyer
I love love is a marriage of the two subjects of my last two reads. A book of poems exploring heartbreak. Split into two sections Lovesick and Heartache. Lovesick explores love as an addiction — the way love is wanting more and more and more until Heartache rears its head. Love is complicated. Being in love is beautiful and falling out of it hurts, but there’s no denying it’s power. Self-published by my forever friend you can get a copy here.
