Calaveritas
"Little Skull" Poems
For the Mexican holiday Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, writing rhyming poems called calaveritas (or “little skulls”) has become a proud tradition. The short poems are mocking epitaphs for the dead or satire targeting the living. Usually with very irreverent verses that tackle death with irony, satire, and just plain good humor.
Those remembered in calaveritas are often subjected to a wicked humor that pokes fun not only at a person’s shortcomings, but at inevitable mortality itself. Calaveritas mix life and death freely, featuring the character's trademark attributes. It’s a way to commemorate them and celebrate their life, typically expressing what perhaps wouldn’t have been said while they lived.
Calaveritas allow people to poke fun at the fears many of us have about death. They help us to take the idea of death in stride, since the whole idea of Día de Muertos is a day of remembrance and connection with those we have lost.
Want to take a shot at creating your own
calaverita?
You can prepare one now, and recite it at the Open Mic,
or you can just write it at the event along with more people!
1. Pick someone (or something) to eulogize.
Just think of someone, either dead or alive, who you want the poem to be about. You can write about a politician or famous person, or your best friend, or pet, or even an object.
2. Introduce your subject.
Tell a funny story about the character: irony works best, but dark humor is welcomed as well. Try starting with the imaginative prompt, “If [celebrity / politician / public figure] died of a particular emotion, what would it be?”. Do a little foreshadowing. Are they behaving badly? Making poor choices? Minding their own business? It’s all up to you.
3. Decide how they meet La Muerte.
How will Death come? Will it be the result of their hobby or occupation? Their personality? Or will they perish as the result of a really bad pun.
Consider a lesson about mortality or living life to the fullest.
4. Things to consider.
-
Take care with the number of syllables for each verse: you can use as many as you like, but be consistent.
-
A good starting point would be to make verses of 4 lines, with about 6 syllables each.
-
Remember to rhyme each line’s final word.
-
Think of the poem, even with its ironic twist, as a way to honor your character (poke fun, but mean well).
You can download this information by clicking on the icon.
Examples
1
Cervezas
Down at the cantina,
they’re shedding big tears—
in mourning because
someone killed a few beers.
2
El Mariachi
In las plazas grandes and cozy small bars
Mariachis are famous for playing guitars.
The most hateful critic finds himself compliant
When hearing guitars which are really quite giant.
“Bigger is better!” the musicians say
So mas y mas grow the guitars that they play.
And that’s where they found Juan, a guitar big and wide
Fell on him, and crushed him, and that’s how he died.
3
My Neighbor
Oh how clumsy was my neighbor
Who did try so very hard,
She was doing me a favor
When Death dealt her grievous card.