 Laviera's poetry, which is written sometimes in Spanish, sometimes in English, more often in Spanglish, addresses language, cultural identity, race, and memory, particularly as it affects the transculturated lives of Puerto Ricans in the United States.Laviera uses the sublets of each language to contribute to his rich symbolism and metaphor that are commonplace in his poetry.His mastery of both languages sets him apart from many Latino writers of his time.