Forget everything you think you know about poetry. 20 poemas para ser leídos en el tranvía isn't about lofty themes or complex rhymes. It's a collection of twenty short, punchy poems meant to be consumed in the time it takes to ride a streetcar. There's no single plot, but a shared setting: the bustling, chaotic world of Buenos Aires as seen from the tram window. Girondo captures fleeting impressions—a strange hat, a fragment of overheard conversation, the sudden appearance of a horse in the street—and spins them into something magical and absurd.

Why You Should Read It

This book is a joy because it finds wonder in the everyday. Girondo has this incredible eye for the bizarre details we usually ignore. His poems are playful, sometimes funny, and often surprisingly visual. He's not trying to explain deep truths; he's inviting you to look at the world with a bit more curiosity and a lot more imagination. Reading it feels like getting a peek inside a very creative person's brain as they people-watch.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who thinks poetry isn't for them, or for readers who love quick, impactful writing that packs a punch. If you enjoy surreal humor, city life, or books that you can dip in and out of during your own commute, this is a must-read. It's a tiny book with a big personality.