Cruz published his first book, "Papo Got His Gun! And Other Poems", on a copying machine called the mimeograph. His later books were published by tradition publishing houses. His titles include: "Beneath the Spanish" (2017); "In the Shadow of Al-Andalus" (2011); "The Mountain in the Sea" (2006); "Red Beans" (1991); "Rhythm, Content, and Flavor: New and Selected Poems" (1989); "By Lingual Wholes" (1982); and "Snaps" (1969). 