Poetry Break # 22
Children's Poetry
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Poetry Break # 22: A Poem by a Latina Poet

Illustration: Moms taxi

Introduction: Ask several students to tell about one of their mother's features or behaviors that makes them feel warm and snug. Also, review the Spanish term "cancion verde" which means green song. (Note: Cancion should have accent over the "o." Unfortunately, this web page author does not know how to make that happen on her word processor).


Song to Mothers

Your laugh is a green song,
cancion verde,
that branches
through our house,
its yellow blooms smelling
like warm honey.
Your laugh peels apples
and stirs their cinnamon bubblings,
then opens a book and pulls me
onto your lap.
At night, your laugh kisses
us soft as a petal, smooths my pillow
and covers me, a soft leafy blanket,
green and yellow.
I snuggle into your laugh,
your cancion verde
and dream of growing
into my own green song.

Poem by Pat Mora

Mora, Pat, editor. Love to Mama: A Tribute to Mothers. Illustrated by Paula S. Barragan M. New York, Lee & Low Books, 2001, unpaged. ISBN: 1584300191.

Extension: a) Read the poem first, and then ask the whole class to read the poem with you several times. Next, invite students to illustrate the poem. Do not show them the illustration in the book until they have finished their illustrations. b) Discuss the following questions. Which of your mother's traits do you admire and hope to develop? Why? What kind of mother or father would you like to be?