Abuelito Who
Abuelito who throws coins like rain
and asks who loves him
who is dough and feathers
who is a watch and glass of water
whose hair is made of fur
is too sad to come downstairs today
who tells me in Spanish you are my diamond
who tells me in English you are my sky
whose little eyes are string
can’t come out to play
sleeps in his little room all night and day
who used to laugh like the letter k
is sick
is a doorknob tied to a sour stick
is tired shut the door
doesn’t live here anymore
is hiding underneath the bed
who talks to me inside my head
is blankets and spoons and big brown shoes
who snores up and down up and down up and down again
is the rain on the roof that falls like coins
asking who loves him
who loves him who?
Summary of Abuelito Who
- Popularity of “Abuelito Who”: First published in the 1990s, “Abuelito Who” by Sandra Cisneros has resonated deeply with readers, especially within Latino communities. Its simple yet evocative language explores memory, family, and cultural identity, touching on the experience of navigating dual cultural consciousness. The poem’s enduring appeal lies in its heartfelt nostalgia and universal exploration of love for elders.
- “Abuelito Who” as a Representative of Memories: This poem is a portrait of the speaker’s grandfather, filtered through the innocent and associative logic of childhood. Cisneros does not present a linear narrative but rather a collection of images, questions, and descriptions that capture the essence of her grandfather. He is defined by his actions—throwing coins, asking for affection—and by the way the child perceives him—as something soft (“dough and feathers”), fragile (“string” for eyes), and comforting. The poem captures the fading of time and health, the grandfather’s increasing withdrawal, and the lingering echo of his presence in the speaker’s mind.
- Major Themes in “Abuelito Who”: At its heart, the poem explores familial love, the power of memory, and the impact of aging. Nostalgia drives the speaker as they recall cherished moments and strive to hold onto the image of their grandfather. The poem also touches on language and identity, with the grandfather speaking both Spanish and English, reflecting a blended cultural experience. Ultimately, “Abuelito Who” is a poignant meditation on loss, love, and the enduring bond between generations.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Abuelito Who
Sandra Cisneros masterfully employs a range of literary devices to create a rich and emotionally resonant poem. These techniques contribute to the poem’s unique style and enhance its thematic impact.
- Anaphora: The repeated use of “who” and “is” at the beginning of successive lines gives the poem a lyrical, incantatory rhythm, mimicking a child’s questioning and emphasizing the fragmented nature of memory.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds—such as the long “a” in “who is a watch and glass of water”—adds musicality and a dreamlike quality to the poem.
- Alliteration: Subtle alliteration appears throughout, for example the repeated “b” sound in “big brown shoes,” grounding the poem in tactile details.
- Consonance: Consonant repetitions, like the “s” in “sleeps in his little room all night and day,” create texture and reinforce the sense of quietness.
- Enjambment: Lines that continue without punctuation—such as “who talks to me inside my head / is blankets and spoons and big brown shoes”—produce fluidity and mimic a child’s rambling thoughts.
- Imagery: Vivid images—“throws coins like rain,” “hair is made of fur”—engage visual and tactile senses, bringing the grandfather to life.
- Metaphor: Metaphors such as “you are my diamond” and “you are my sky” convey the grandfather’s preciousness and vastness.
- Rhetorical Question: The repeated question “who loves him who?” underscores the need for affection and the speaker’s concern.
- Simile: The simile “who used to laugh like the letter k” offers a playful and memorable image of the grandfather’s laughter.
- Symbolism: Coins symbolize generosity, blankets and spoons symbolize comfort, and rain symbolizes sadness and renewal.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Abuelito Who
Poetic devices are those specifically employed in poetry to create aesthetic and emotional effect.
- Diction: Cisneros’s diction is deliberate and precise, blending simple, childlike language with evocative imagery.
- Free Verse: The poem is written in free verse, lacking a strict rhyme scheme or meter, allowing for a conversational tone that mimics the flow of thought.
- Stanza: “Abuelito Who” is a single stanza consisting of twenty eight lines, giving the poem a continuous, unbroken stream of consciousness.
- Tone: The tone ranges from nostalgic and loving to melancholic and concerned, permeating the poem with tenderness and fragility.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly evocative and can illustrate the poem’s themes and imagery:
doesn’t live here anymore
is hiding underneath the bed
who talks to me inside my head
is blankets and spoons and big brown shoes
These lines powerfully convey the grandfather’s fading presence and the speaker’s attempts to connect with him on a deeper level.