Cenzontle (A. Poulin, Jr. New Poets of America, 40)

The Bird Song of Undocumented Life is a powerful and moving collection of poems that explores the emotional fallout of immigration, the illusion of the American dream, and the ongoing search for belonging.

Through vivid imagery and musical language, Marcelo Hernandez Castillo creates a nuanced narrative of life before, during, and after crossing the US/Mexico border.

The poems challenge readers to question the potential ways in which two people can interact, love, give birth, and mourn―sometimes all at once.

Despite the risks of telling an undocumented story, Castillo resists resignation to silence and embraces art's transformative ability to lift painful or unjust experiences into music.

With lush musicality and a deep belief in the power of poetry, The Bird Song of Undocumented Life is a must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of identity, belonging, and the human experience.