In this age of helicopter parents, no self-respecting Momager would trust a six-year-old to ride public transportation alone, but, in the 1960’s Mexico, that is how a six-year-old Raúl Niño learned to ride the bus: solo. Thankfully, his mother, a housekeeper, taught him such independence and responsibility that he was profoundly capable and self-reliant at an early age. The only child of a creative and resourceful single mother, Niño has grown into a poetic tour de force.
His writing is so strong that in 1993, he won Chicago’s Sister City competition and was selected to be the poetic ambassador to Mexico City, Mexico. Move forward thirty years, and his dynamic poetry is still being created with love, care and humility. Not only does Niño’s work reverberate throughout the poetry community of Chicago, but also the world. Niño will share his poetic journey with WZRD Chicago, 88.3 FM on Saturday, November 30th at 12:30 pm which streams live via the internet at https://wzrdchicago.org.
Good writers are good readers and Niño is no exception. In an October 19, 2024 interview with this journalist, he spoke of his passion for books that doesn’t end at the library where he works but follows him home, to his bed, where he sometimes sleeps with up to three books right by his side. Molly Zolnay, Niño’s wife shares his literary passion and theirs is truly a match well made. When asked about what he is currently reading, he responded:
“As for what I am currently reading, I am assuming that you mean ‘poetry’. Here are two current favorites; Etel Adnan, I have been reading her books Time and Shifting the Silence. The other poet is Charles Wright, I reviewed his 2020 collected works Oblivion Banjo. I personally believe him to be one of the great living poets in our time. As for influences, I would say Octavio Paz, Sandra Cisneros, Gwendolyn Brooks, Joseph Brodsky, Mark Strand, Elizabeth Bishop … there are many more, but that’s a good start.”
Niño has a variety of lofty literary influences and their inspiration can be seen in his affinity for the small, passing moments in life, which he recreated with such power it is though his vivid memories become reader’s own. His poetry has earned such respect and recognition that Gloria Dávila, a poetic peer whom he met when he was in Mexico, went on to read his entire book of poetry titled The Book of Mornings aloud on YouTube.
Niño has had three books of his own poetry published. Including two by March Abrazo Press: Breathing Light (March Abrazo Press, 1991) and The Book of Mornings (March Abrazo Press, 2007.) He has also been featured at the Green Mill’s famous Uptown Poetry Slam by Marc Kelly Smith. His most recent collection, Still Life with Hands was published by Jason Pickleman. Pickleman, was a gifted visual artist, poet, and a famous brand designer (for example, he designed the packaging for Skinny Pop Popcorn’s vibrant product). He also was a dear friend who so fervently believed in Niño’s work that Pickleman not only created the layout and design himself, but also published the book. Sadly, Jason Pickleman did not realize that publishing Niño’s book was destined to be his swan song, as Pickleman passed away just a year and a half later.
The book, of which there are but 100 copies made for this world, is a revelation. Each page vibrates with wit, tenderness, and clarity. Holding this little volume of poetry in one’s hands is to be entranced by a sacred text, at once intimate, luminous and transcendent. Written to honor his mother, Niño nimbly takes his reader on a voyage through his life, where love is his lifeboat.
Naturally shy and unassuming, Niño learned to keep a low profile early on, as his mother toiled to support him. They eventually immigrated to Northfield, where Niño attended some of the best schools in the nation. He has gone on to work at one of the best universities in the country, Northwestern University, where the library staff claims him as one of their own. It is right and proper that Northwestern University’s Library, then, is the only place in the world where one can find a copy of this precious volume of poetry.
To see Niño at work is to see a master of the art. The Beach Poets will feature Raúl Niño next summer on June 29th at 1:30 pm. The last word in his book, Still Life with Hands? Gratitude. It’s the reason for the season!
Poetry in Chicago 