The decadent and delicious peanut butter and chocolate covered pie that defined my childhood in Philadelphia remains a faint memory now that I have entered the state of Georgia. While Tastykakes are a regional delight that can be found in every grocery store and gas station in Pennsylvania, the Coca-Cola logo is a global symbol recognized in Egypt, France and nearly every country. Globalization and exposure to the goods of other countries can influence the culture of the homeland. Martin Espada's poem “Coca-Cola and Coco Frio” demonstrates the idea of ​​two cultures coming together. Within this poem the author uses literary techniques such as diction, imagery, and personification to create a story that encapsulates the ideas of a natural world versus a material world. Even the title of the poem shows the contrast between the two worlds, “Coca-Cola” representing matter and “Coco Frio” representing nature. This vivid contrast between the two leads the reader to think that materialism can often prevail over the simplicity of nature. In this poem the author also makes a literary criticism of how a hyper-industrialized America takes away the natural beauty and heritage of one's homeland. The speaker uses the literary technique of diction to show a contrast between the natural and material worlds in the poem. . The “island of family folklore” provokes a feeling of mystery and heritage closely associated with the speaker's natural homeland (2). The speaker also describes the Coca-Cola given to the boy as a “potion” that he drank in a “bored” manner (3). Although the speaker describes Coca-Cola as a materialistic item, “potion” has a scary and frightening connotation. This use of the obscure diction of ... middle of paper ... floods their shores. Exposure to new customs encourages acceptance of others; however, forgetting the past never leads to a good future. Keeping traditions alive allows people to feel connected to their homeland wherever they live. Ironically, a Georgia-based company recently purchased the legendary Philadelphia branded company Tastykake. The future remains uncertain whether Tastykake will become the “Coco-Cola” of the South and replace Lil Debbie’s “Coca Frio” snacks. Whatever the future holds for Tastykakes in the South, I know that when I return to my homeland of Philadelphia, there will be a Peanut Butter Kandy Kake waiting for me. Works Cited Espada, Martin. ""Coca-Cola and Coco Frio"" Portable legacies: fiction, poetry, theater, nonfiction. Ed. Jan Zlotnik Schmidt and Lynne Crockett. 5th ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2009. 421-22. Press.