You and Me
Armando Heredia’s collection, You and Me, is a poignant and cohesive examination of modern love, commitment, and the search for meaning beyond societal expectations. Through four distinct yet harmoniously linked poems, Heredia constructs a narrative that is less about romantic idealism and more about the grounded, resilient, and conscious choice to build a life with another person.
Individual Poem Analyses
1. This is the Prize
This opening poem serves as the philosophical anchor of the entire collection. It immediately establishes the central conflict: the external “grind” and “hustle” versus the internal search for value. Heredia masterfully employs intertextuality, invoking the spectral presence of Johnny Cash—specifically his haunting cover of “Hurt”—to symbolize the hollow victory of material success (“empire of dirt,” “banquet table”).
The poem’s structure mirrors a internal debate, moving from questioning to defiant realization. The powerful anaphora of “What if” marks the crucial turning point, where the speaker rejects the prescribed path of kings and rulers. The “prize” is radically redefined not as an object to be won, but as a state of being: presence with a loved one, free from the distracting “hawking” of the world. It’s a manifesto for prioritizing human connection over capitalist ambition.
2. You and Me
If the first poem is the thesis, this poem is its emotional proof. The tone shifts from philosophical questioning to steadfast assurance. Heredia uses a simple, almost conversational refrain—”You and me”—to build a rhythm of reliability and shared history. The imagery is grounded in tangible experiences: “storms,” geographic journeys from “Missouri to California,” and witnessing sunrises and sunsets on opposing coasts.
This poem functions as a vow, but not one made in a grand ceremony. It is a daily, practical promise encapsulated in the powerful lines: “I’ll fly, drive, walk if I have to… I’ll be there, just give me a call.” The commitment is active and unwavering, emphasizing that true love is shown not just in feeling, but in the willingness to traverse any distance, physical or emotional.
3. It’s Gonna be Me and You
Here, Heredia introduces a playful yet profound intertextual layer with the “pina colada” trope, a clear reference to the escapist fantasy of the 1970s hit song “Escape.” By explicitly rejecting this narrative—”I’ve never had a pina colada / I’m not looking for someone new”—the speaker affirms that their love is not about finding a perfect match for hobbies, but a deep, soul-level commitment to the person they already have.
The metaphor of the “new mixtape / of the song that is you” is brilliantly modern and tender. It suggests that a person is not a static “old recording” (a clever rebuttal to the Holmes reference) but a dynamic collection of stories, memories, and qualities that can be rediscovered and re-appreciated endlessly. This poem celebrates the joy of choosing your partner again and again.
4. Til the End
The final poem is a graceful synthesis of the collection’s themes. It returns to the contemplative “What if” of the first poem but applies it directly to the endurance of a relationship. Heredia beautifully captures the essence of a mature, lasting love: it is “not perfect, but it’s a perfect blend / Of mistakes and apologies / Forgiveness and amends.”
The imagery of the sunset—”watch the orange fade into that indigo blue sky”—is both beautiful and melancholic, acknowledging the inevitable passage of time while framing it as something to be faced together. The poem’s strength lies in its honest admission of hardship (“it’s hard, and things have been broken”) while simultaneously affirming the power of being “present, again and again.” It is a quiet, powerful conclusion that defines love as a persistent act of will and grace.
Review of the Collection as a Whole
As a collection, You and Me is a remarkably coherent and moving work. Heredia develops a clear arc: from questioning society’s definition of success, to affirming a chosen commitment, to playfully rejecting alternatives, and finally, to accepting the beautiful, imperfect reality of a lifelong partnership.
The recurring motifs—journeys (roads, flights, coasts), music (songs, mixtapes, recordings), and imperfection—create a rich tapestry that binds the poems together. The language is accessible yet deeply evocative, avoiding cliché in favor of raw, authentic emotion. The collection’s greatest achievement is its redefinition of “the prize.” It successfully argues that in a world of noise and hollow offers, the ultimate act of rebellion and fulfillment is to choose quiet presence with another person, “til the very end.”
You and Me is a testament to the enduring power of conscious love and a significant contribution to contemporary relationship poetry. It is a collection that resonates not with grand gestures, but with the profound truth of a simple, steadfast promise.