Description: YESOD: Roots of the World Poems is a lyrical journey into the foundations of human resilience, spirit, and struggle. Drawing on the symbolic depth of "Yesod"-the mystical root of connection and grounding-these poems weave together the personal and the universal, the wounds and the triumphs, the silences and the songs. With language both raw and luminous, this collection reminds us that even in the darkest earth, roots reach for light, and from struggle emerges the power to endure, transform, and rise.
Brief description: Mercedes Muñoz is a dynamic poet and spoken word artist whose work bridges the worlds of education, activism, and art. Her poetry has been published in Rethinking Schools: The Uprising and Our Schools (Fall 2020, Vol. 35, No. 1), and her voice has resonated on stages across the Pacific Northwest. Muñoz has also written and performed two original plays-Flippin' the Script and Legacy Lake: Fistful of Blood and A Handful of Tears each exploring themes of resilience, justice, and human connection. Recognized for her transformative impact in the classroom an in the community, she was honored as Oregon Teacher of the Year in 2020. Through her words and performances, Muñoz continues to uplift.