El Dia de los Muertos
The first of November in San Antonio
They celebrate el dia de los Muertos
To remember and honor the lives of the dead
So departed souls can finally rest.
In celebration families gather to meet
In bright colored costumes, they march in the streets
Singing the songs of those lost over time
The Mexican version of the second line
Somber catrinas with skull painted faces
Honoring spirits who still leave their traces
Sombreros de flores adorning their heads
As they all join to celebrate the lives of the dead
Market square dances in el mercado
To musica de Mexico and Tejano
The square is surrounded in papel picado
They feast on tamales and pan de muerto
They carve out ofrendas to honor the dead
Altars of calendulas, yellow and red
Candles light up photos of those who have passed
Dedication to memories and a place they can rest
The first of November in San Antonio
They celebrate el dia de los Muertos
They remember those gone with altars of love
As they celebrate el Dia de los Muertos!
Viva el Dia de los Muertos!
Cindi, I really enjoyed this. I have always had an interest in Day of the Dead. Seems to me to be such a beautiful way to honor one’s ancestors. Your poem inspires me to make an altar next November.
I’m #teamalternextNovember as well. Thanks so much for the inspiration, and sending me into researching something I’ve managed to postpone for a while!! This is amazing!!LYS!!
I wrote this from a song prompt from OYOU’s Writers Nest group that Terri is hosting. I really didn’t want to write about death, so tried to focus on the party aspect of this unique holiday.
Thank you for taking this as inspiration! I had to do some research myself to put this together, and the whole idea is so intriguing, I had fun working on it. Glad you liked it!
I love that you focused on the beauty, the celebration of life, the small pieces, and the energy.
I also love the pictures you included!
Thank you, for sharing this!
Strong line – This is fabulous!
Somber catrinas with skull painted faces
Honoring spirits who still leave their traces
Sombreros de flores adorning their heads
As they all join to celebrate the lives of the dead”