Doña Flor: A Tall-tale about a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart

Before reading the poem or having a student, students or audience members read it, practice having them say “more” when you gesture with your hand and having them say “roar” when you show them your claws (hands curved like cat paws). Invite students or the audience also to chime in for underlined words. Pronumciation guide at the end of the poem.

 

There once was a girl named Flor,
who kept growing more—and more.

She grew and grew, young blooming Flor,
Five feet, six feet—more and more.

Taller than a house was Flor—and more.
Taller than a tree was Flor—and more.
Taller than a school was Flor—and more.
Taller than a montaña was Flor—and more.

Neighbors called her Doña Flor.
Doña Flor, Doña Flor, woman blooming ever-more.

She grew giant flowers—and more,
made humungous tortillas did Flor.

“May we have your flowers, Doña Flor?”
Kids asked, “May we, por favor?”

Her tortillas served as roofs—and more,
as small boats en el calor.

Then one day, “R O A R!”
Flor’s pueblo heard a loud, “R O A R!”

Flor felt fright behind every door.

“Doña Flor, Doña Flor, is that you
knocking on our door?

“Doña Flor, please explore
who’s making that terrible roar.”

Flor and her friends heard, “R O A R!”
and “R O A R!” And “R O A R!”

“Doña Flor, that gato’s hungry!
iAy! Que horror!”

“Never-more,” said Doña Flor.

(pause)

With huge strides she marched, says lore,
searching miles and miles—and more.

Taller than a house was Flor—and more.
Taller than a tree was Flor—and more.
Taller than a school was Flor—and more.
Taller than a montaña was Flor—and more.

(pause)

That night, snuggling with her pets, dear Flor
kept her heart open and soft more—and more.

So like Flor, keep your heart open
and soft, more—and more.

(pause)

And the roar? Lore says Flor said,
“Never-more!”

Oh! Did Flor find the cat? iPor favor!
Read the book, not once, not twice,
but more and more.
☺Pat Mora

© Pat Mora, March, 2005

Glossary

Doña                         DOH nyah                    title of respect as in Lady Flor

montaña                    mohn tah NYAH           mountain

en el calor                  ehn ehl cah LOR          in the heat

por favor                    por fah VOR                 please

pueblo                       PWEB loh                    village or town

Notes: I didn’t italicize “pueblo” in the poem since it’s now in an English dictionary.  The letter “o” in Spanish is not exactly like our long “o” in English.  It’s more like the “o” in the word “boat.”