Dia+de+los+Muertos

Calavera Poem

The idea is to create such a strong sense of the person through the details in the poem, that they in a sense, come back. The magic of the words, the details of speech, physical description and thought, bring these characters to life.

Procedure: sound of them hammering or sweeping or chopping in the kitchen, a car horn, a whistle, a laugh, a cough, anything wore/ Write those down. a nickname, a way of teasing? How would they greet you?
 * Select the person who has died to whom you want to address your poem
 * Write down a smell or scent you associate with this person
 * Name a food or drink or taste of something they loved to eat or drink
 * Write down a sound you associate with them. This can be music or the
 * Remember a favorite article of clothing, a sweater, a pair of shoes they always
 * Was there a favorite saying they had? Something you associate with them,
 * What would you say to them if they came back? What might they say to you?
 * What activity might you do together? Who else, if anyone, would join you?


 * Starting to write: **
 * You might think of this as an informal letter to this person. Address them by name for eg. Tio Manuel. Or a nickname or term of endearment like Grammy
 * Some possible starts are “When you come back....” or a direct appeal, “Come back...”
 * The memories and details from their lives are what you are offering as the lure to bring them back. Let them know what will happen if they return.

For you, Grammy, I put your false teeth in a glass of water next to the jewelry box with the dancing ballerina on top, and inside, those green glass earrings that I bought you at Uncle Tony’s church rummage sale, and which you wore on Christmas. Underneath, I put our aprons, the matching ones with red rick rack trimmed pockets, and all my Barbie doll dresses you sewed from Dad’s ties. I sprinkled a little of that pink face powder you used and added some vanilla and molasses. I set out African violets, and dahlias big as lions’ heads, and Christmas wreaths made of coat hangars and Kleenex. For dinner we’ll have beef stew with celery and just a little flour to thicken the sauce. Can you see them, Grammy? The candles look pretty behind the orange carrot Jell-O molds. And if you come, I promise I’ll sit up straight, just like you always told me to.
 * Sample Poems 1 **

Angel, when you come back I bet you’ll come back on your black cruiser moving slowly with a lit sweet swisher cigar in your mouth you’ll be wearing a black buttoned up shirt with a collar But only buttoned up half way and baggy jeans and your I pod will be playing Tupac loud enough so everyone can hear- When you come back, Angel me you and Hans will skate together out at UCSB and maybe the skate park. We’ll just ride around you’ll say “Whas up den?” and I’ll tell you we are good friends like I meant to do I guess I did when you were here.
 * Sample Poems 2 **