As we approach the new century, Latino poetry is in the midst of its most vital and productive period. Poetry by Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans has changed the course of contemporary American writing forever.  And it has done this by emphasizing poetry as the sound of everyday life--showing readers and other writers that the most effective manner of preserving the traditions of a culture comes from the colorful language of daily experience.<br><br><i>Touching the Fire</i> recognizes the excitement of this movement by focusing on a few of its major poets, presenting a substantial portion of each poet's work.  Some of these poets--Martin Espada, Lorna Dee Cervantes, and Victor Hernandez Vruz, for example--have been writing and publishing a long time.  Some are only starting their careers.  But they were all chosen because they best represent the strongest elements of modern Latino poetry--a confidence of language in its many forms, a gift for shattering emotional honesty, and an ear for the rhythms of a vibrant culture.<br><br>Featuring the poetry of:<br><br>Sandra M. Castillo<br>Lorna Dee Cervantes<br>Judith Ortiz Cofer<br>Victor Hernandez Cruz<br>Silvia Curbelo<br>Juan Delgado<br>Martin Espada<br>Diana Garcia<br>Richard Garcia<br>Ray Gonzalez<br>Maurice Kilwein Guevara<br>Juan Felipe Herrera<br>Dionisio D. Martinez<br>Valerie Martinez<br>Gloria Vando