“Many of the poems in Duende de Burque are odes and homages to Albuquerque and New Mexico, and many of them rhyme, with the driving, irregular beats of hip-hop. González writes of religion and spiritual seeking as he entertains and impresses within the carnival of poetry competition. And then he ushers us into a hushed hall, where he uses all the same skills for a moment of grace.”—Jennifer Levin, Santa Fe New Mexican
“Manny is sharing more than trade secrets when it comes to being this city’s Poet Laureate. In this collection, you get equal parts ‘the joys of the job’ and ‘the job of the joy.’”—Hakim Bellamy, Inaugural Albuquerque Poet Laureate and author of Swear
“Manuel González’s poet-duende swaggers through the Burque streets, orgullosamente, con honor y respeto. His duende loco is proud, honoring, and respectful. But González’s duende also speaks in parables of poetic hard-truths that prompt us to think, feel, muse, and ask questions about ourselves and the worlds we inhabit.”—Levi Romero, Inaugural New Mexico Poet Laureate and author of A Poetry of Remembrance: New and Rejected Works
“González’s beloved Albuquerque reads as a poem, and the soul of a poet merges with the joys, pain, struggles, and healing of a people. An instant classic.”—Matt Sedillo, author of Mowing Leaves of Grass and literary director of the dA Center for the Arts
“ Duende de Burque jams on his saxophone invoking all the spirits, complexities, and truth of our community! It is a ballad of a Chicano poet finding his truth through the Slam poetry movement, his teaching style, and cultivating his ancestral wisdom. The book is a sneak peek into the life of an artist devoted to his craft, to incarcerated youth, and to using poetry to overcome trauma and promote healing. It’s vulnerable, magical, and full of reverence. Yet it is also a call for justice and liberation of our people through literary power and creativity. Manuel’s work can help anyone who is seeking inspiration and self-expression pick up the pen! It’s fuel with an afterburn like chile verde!”—Olivia Romo, poet and water-rights activist
