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José Olivarez

José Olivarez
Photo by Mercedes Zapata

José Olivarez

José Olivarez is the son of Mexican immigrants, and the author of two collections of poems, including, most recently, Promises of Gold—which was long listed for the 2023 National Book Awards. His debut book of poems, Citizen Illegal, was a finalist for the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award and a winner of the 2018 Chicago Review of Books Poetry Prize. Along with Felicia Rose Chavez and Willie Perdomo, he co-edited the poetry anthology, The BreakBeat Poets Vol. 4: LatiNEXT. Alongside Antonio Salazar, he published the hybrid book, Por Siempre in 2023. He lives in Jersey City, NJ. (Source)

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Poems by José Olivarez

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Love Poem Beginning with a Yellow Cab by José Olivarez

March 21, 2025
“when you put your hand / on my thigh it was like i knew for the first time / why god gave us thighs. why god gave us hands.” — José Olivarez

Poems curated by José Olivarez

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Telephone Booth (number 905 1/2) by Pedro Pietri

September 1, 2025
“I am feeling too good / to report to work today, / if I feel sick tomorrow / I will come in early” — Pedro Pietri