Enjoy a Poem from Borders

Pat Mora

Northern Chihuahuan Desert"Mora confronts the clash of cultures in a courageous, tough tone that masks a gentle sensibility. What finally gives this book its healing power is the mesmerizing honesty of Mora’s celebration of herself as a woman, mother, lover."

—The Bloomsbury Review

 

Desert Women
Desert women know
Fierce heat and cold
have burned and thickened
our skin. Like cactus
we’ve learned to hoard,
to sprout deep roots,
to seem asleep, yet wake
at the scent of softness
in the air, to hide
pain and loss by silence,
no branches wail
or whisper our sad songs
safe behind our thorns.

Don’t be deceived.
When we bloom, we stun.

©Pat Mora

Borders

January 6: The Feast of the Epiphany

Pat Mora

I love words and epiphany (of Greek origin) is among my favorites. In a religious context, January 6 is the Feast of the Three Kings, the arrival of the Magi symbolizing that the Christ Child was revealed to the world. The tradition of making (or buying) a Three Kings’ Wreath or rosca de reyes inspired my book, The Bakery Lady: La señora de la panadería. The closeness of family is also a theme in this and a number of my books. I am blessed to have known such closeness in my own life.

As a writer, I love the notion that January 6th is a propitious day for beginning a new writing project. I am always hoping that an intriguing idea or approach will be revealed to me. Of course, I must sit still and listen.

Wishing you epiphanies in 2017.

Pat

Illustration by Pablo Torrecilla from The Bakery Lady.

Illustration by Pablo Torrecilla from The Bakery Lady.

Light

Pat Mora

I have been re-reading The Names of Things: Life, Language, and Beginnings in the Egyptian Desert. Susan Brind Morrow is a gifted writer. I’m a child of the desert, a major theme in my writing, so traveling to another desert is intensely interesting. I was intrigued by the words, “May God fill you with light.” The blessing is connected, of course, to my hopes for the New Year: May God fill you with light.
Pat

Visual designed by Freepik.

Visual courtesy of Freepik.

The Gift of the Poinsettia/El regalo de la flor de nochebuena

Pat Mora

The Gift of the Poinsettia"This popular title introduces readers to a Mexican tradition and inspires them to think about gift-giving in a different way. The authors take children through each of the days of the posada (“inn”) tradition in which celebrants take figurines representing Mary and Joseph from one inn to another as they look for a place to rest. Carlos worries that he has no money to buy a special gift to offer the Christ Child, but his grandmother urges him to pick a flower along the way. This humble flower blossoms into a glorious poinsettia on Christmas Eve. An enjoyable selection for readers of any age."—Critcás

Classroom activities:

  • After learning about the origin of the name poinsettia, have students read about flower folklore and write a story based on their research or create a name for an imaginary flower and write and illustrate that story. The flower could, of course, be named after themselves or their friends which could lead to some interesting descriptions.
  • Humans enjoy celebrations. Have students study celebrations around the globe and share a holiday celebration important to their family.
  • Students can learn about legends and either re-tell a legend, particularly one native to their area or place of birth, or create their own legends.