Pat Mora's Blog

Autumn Haiku

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Autumn Welcome!

I savor each of the seasons, but this month and next, I’m savoring gold leaves and purple blooms. I enjoy hot tea all year long, but this month and next, I’m especially enjoying honey in my tea. I’m also savoring the lines learned years ago, “October gave a party, the leaves by hundreds came.” I’m grateful to my teachers, mostly nuns, who had me memorize many poems and taught me to love poetry, its pure pleasure.

I so enjoyed writing my poetry collection, Adobe Odes (The University of Arizona Pr...

Spotted in the Bookstore: Tomás and the Library Lady

Pat’s granddaughter with Tomás and the Library Lady.

Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son

How I enjoyed reading my friend John Parra’s new book, Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son.

The author tells us that the story is inspired by his own work helping his dad. I too helped my dad at his optical company in El Paso, Texas. Like John’s grandparents, my dad came from Chihuahua, Mexico to the border.

I also grew up bilingual, English and Spanish like John, and enjoyed the braiding of both languages in this text. I’ve also enjoyed gardening for years and savoring Me...

Family: a wonderful inspiration for my writing

House of Houses

I Pledge Allegiance

My family has been a wonderful inspiration for my writing.

My family memoir, House of Houses, was published by Beacon Press. I’m grateful to my editor Deborah Chasman.

My daughter, writer Libby Martinez, and I so enjoyed writing I Pledge Allegiance, about our beloved aunt, Libby’s great aunt, Ygnacia Delgado who was born in Mexico. We called this aunt Lobo which means “wolf.” (Read the book to find out why.) Libby and I are so grateful to Patrice Barton for her...

Dedications

Welcome! Before sharing my book dedications, I want to thank two special women in my life: Bobbie Combs, my Web manager, and Linda Weston, my part-time assistant. For years, these two talented and cheerful women have helped me do work I love to do.

¡Gracias, mis amigas!

Publication order: adult: 7 poetry, 3 nonfiction; young adult: 2; children’s books: 37

Adult Books

Poetry: 7

Chants, 1984, Arte Público Press, Houston, TX
For my children, Billy, Libby, and Cissy, whose love and laughter warm my...

Hello from the Poetry Foundation!

Pat was the guest at the Poetry Foundation’s Young People’s Poetry Day event this year!

May 14: The Poetry Foundation Welcomes Pat Mora in Person

This year, Pat will be an in-person guest at the Poetry Foundation’s Young People’s Poetry Day event on Saturday, May 14 from 1-4pm Central Time. The event will be held at:

The Poetry Foundation
61 W Superior Street
Chicago, Illinois

Find out more or register here.

Every Day is Children’s Day, Book Day!

Children’s Day, Book Day: Many Thanks

Thanks so much to each of you who helped promote:

Children’s Day, Book Day (CDBD)
El día de los niños, El día de los libros (Día)
this April.

CDBD/Día is a daily initiative to grow a nation of book lovers.
Teens can help promote the initiative as they too remain readers.

A nation of readers is essential in a democracy.

Pat