Draft:Voces Cósmicas

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In 2022, Voces Cosmicas celebrated its ten years of public service, mentoring writers and artists regardless of creed, nationality, race or sexuality. The organization began when a group of poets and writers met weekly to read and discuss literature in the now defunct Mad-Hatters Cafe on Beauregard Street, in the Art Deco area of King Williams, known as Southtown in San Antonio, Texas. Historically, the two groups led by Tom Porter and Fernando Esteban Flores exchanged ideas to develop and encourage literature and poetry.

The groups branched off after the collapse of Mad-Hatters Cafe. Flores decided to meet at Collins Garden Branch Library on Nogalitos Street, headed by assistant librarian Carlos Lorea, who provided poetry organizational readings for the City of San Antonio. Flores christened the group "Voces Cosmicas" in honor of José Vasconcelos, who published "La Raza Cosmica," in 1925, predicting the coming of a new age in which love, fantasy, joy and harmony would prevail over abstract rationalism. Vasconcelos believed newborn creativity would augur a cosmic race benefiting all humanity.

Voces Cósmicas was established for writing, promoting humanity, and aiding the scribblings of novice writers and artists. They meet monthly at Collins Garden Branch Library in San Antonio to read their material and exchange ideas related to philosophy and literature.

The following are the group's original members, beginning with Founder Fernando Esteban Flores.

• Fernando Esteban Flores is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and author of three collections of poetry: Ragged Borders, Red Accordion Blues and BloodSongs, published by Hijo del Sol Publishing. He has been involved in the San Antonio literary scene for over 30 years. He has published extensively in poetry journals, university magazines, newspapers, e-zines, anthologies, social media (YouTube, SoundCloud), radio, cultural events.

• Carlos Loera, is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a Master of Fine Art and is an adjunct professor of art at San Antonio College. Loera works as an Assistant Librarian with the San Antonio Public Library system and has published poetry. He is Director and Technical Producer of Voces Cósmicas.

• Suzanne Green is the British author of four collections of poetry: All Things Holy, (Sacred Dreams Press, 2019); All Things Holy Afterword, (Sacred Dreams Press, 2020); All Things Holy New, (Sacred Things Dreams Press, 2021); and Wonderings, (Sacred Dream Press, 2022).

• Alicia Zavala Galvan is the author of the following books: Parenthesis, (San Antonio, Texas, Galvart Press, November, 1994; Enigma, (bilingual) (Galvart Press, May 1995); Eclipse, (bilingual), (Galvart Press, May 1996); Contemporary View of Haiku/Vista Contemporanea de Haiku, translator, (Mustard Seed Press, February 1997); Paréntesis, (Spanish), (M & A Editions, September 1999); Premature Elegies, (Galvart Publishing, November.1999); 1998 Sor Juana: Poet, Nun, Feminist, and Enigma, Autodefensa Espiritual: A Poet’s Translation (Bilingual Edition) by Galvart Press, March 1998.

• Susana Nevarez-Marquez is a short story writer who has been devoted to Voces Cósmicas for seven years. She coordinates scheduled mentoring.

• Jacinto Jesus Cardona is author of Pan Dulce, (Chili Verde Press, 1998) and three chapbooks of poetry. His poetry has been featured and performed by the New York City Philharmonic, and published in the Trans-Quarterly Review, ViAztlan: International Literary Journal of Arts and Letters, and other a new book of poetry, Amapolasongs, is forthcoming this year from Plancha Press.

• Ed Cody is a Vietnam veteran with forty years experience doing oral performances.

• Liz Vera is a film, and stage actress with seven years experience reading poetry professionally.

• Arturo Mantecón is the author of four translations as well as two collections of his poetry: Like an Eye in the Hand of a Beggar (poems of Leopoldo Maria Panero, (Editions Michel Eyquem, 2013); Chance Encounters and Waking Dreams (poems of Francisco Ferrer Lerin), (Editions Michel Eyquem, 2016). Poetry Comes Out of My Mouth (poems of Mario Santiago Papasquiaro), (DiálogosBooks.com). And El Día Mas Delicioso de Mi Vida, (Prickly Pear Press, 2022). His last book was reviewed in July 2022 in the San Antonio Express-News, under the title, “The poetry spiritualism of Arturo Mantecón.”

References

• Castillo, Rafael. “Thanks to internet, poetry finding niche in 21st century.” San Antonio Express-News. August 6, 2018.