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Charles Ghigna - Father Goose®

the author of more than 100 award-winning books from Random House, Disney, Hyperion, Time Inc.,

Scholastic, Simon & Schuser, Capstone, Boyds Mills, Abrams, Orca, Charlesbridge and other publishers.

Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos

"The Day of the Dead 1924"
Oil on Canvas by Diego Rivera


Day of the Dead
Dia de los Muertos

Oct. 31 - Nov. 2

Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world.
The holiday focuses on gatherings in remembrance of family and friends who have died.
The Day of the Dead is not a sad or depressing time, but a time of happiness and celebration!


Let us live this day with laughter,
Let us fill our hearts with song;
Let us pray for all who held us--  
Life is short, but love is long.


©Charles Ghigna



6 comments:

Carol said...

Hurray! Finally a poem for Day of the Dead. I teach at a dual language school and am always on the lookout for poems in Spanish or about the Spanish culture. Thank you!

catherinemjohnson.com said...

That's a lovely poem, Charles. Day of the Dead does sound very dark, but what a great idea. There must be lots of very nice dead folk that wish to be remembered in a nice way not a dark and sad way.

Linda B said...

We have celebrated this day at our school Charles & it is a special time, I know. You've captured it so well in just four lines. I know that what is done is different, but I grew up going to the cemetery with family, clearing the weeds around the graves and talking about those "who held us'-it was an important part of my life. Thank you!

Charles Ghigna said...

Thank you so much for your kind words Carol, Catherine, and Linda. I was at first a bit uncertain about sharing this poem as part of our Poetry Friday.

Your students are lucky to have poet/teachers!

Tabatha said...

Very comforting poem. I particularly like "Life is short, but love is long." Your choice of an illustration is excellent, too.

Charles Ghigna said...

Thanks, Tabatha, for your comforting comment!