"Manuel Gonzalez's poetry is authentic, genuine, revolutionary, and infused with the vibrant fire-language of the Mexica. A native Burqueno, his voice rings true with the cuentos of our sacred lands, the water-rush of our rivers, and the magnanimous love for our mountains. Manuel is his poetry and his poetry is a reflection of the myriad of voices that are New Mexico. His writing is a vital contribution to the literary dialogue of the Chicano experience, but most of all, he is good gente and this is one damn firme book." Jessica Helen Lopez Albuquerque Poet Laureate author of Always Messing with Them Boys