Death is usually a heavy topic. Most cultures treat it with hushed tones, black veils, and a sense of profound loss. But in Mexico, during Día de los Muertos, people start writing poems about their best friends getting dragged to the underworld by a skeleton. It sounds morbid. Honestly, it’s hilarious. These are calavera poems for Day of the Dead, or calaveritas literarias, and they are easily the most misunderstood part of the holiday for anyone looking in from the outside.
Think of it like a "roast" from a comedy special, but the person doing the roasting is the Grim Reaper (known affectionately as La Catrina or La Flaca).
What are Calavera Poems for Day of the Dead, anyway?
Basically, a calaverita is a short, satirical poem written in verse. The premise is simple: you pick a living person—a teacher, a politician, your annoying cousin—and you write a story about how Death finally caught up to them. But here's the kicker: they aren't actually dead. You’re just pretending.
It’s not meant to be a curse. It’s a tribute. By joking about someone’s demise, you’re actually celebrating the fact that they are very much alive and kicking. You’re also poking fun at their quirks. If your boss is always late, your poem might describe La Flaca waiting by the clock, tapping her bony fingers because even the Angel of Death is tired of his excuses.
The DNA of a real calaverita
The structure usually follows a specific rhythm. We’re talking about four-line stanzas called cuartetas. They typically use an ABAB or ABBA rhyme scheme. If you aren't a poet, don't sweat it. The "rules" are more like suggestions in modern times, though traditionalists like the folks at the Academia Mexicana de la Lengua might disagree. The goal is irony. You want to use "octosyllabic" verse (eight syllables per line) because that’s the heartbeat of Spanish folk music and poetry. It gives the poem a bouncy, jaunty feel that contrasts with the dark subject matter.
The 19th-Century Rebel Origins
This wasn’t always just a cute school project. In the late 1800s, Mexico was under the thumb of Porfirio Díaz. Censorship was everywhere. You couldn't just write a newspaper op-ed saying the government was corrupt without ending up in jail.
So, writers got sneaky.
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They started using calavera poems for Day of the Dead as a form of political protest. They would publish broadsides—cheap, single-sheet newspapers—featuring skeletons dressed in high-society clothes. The most famous illustrator of this era was José Guadalupe Posada. He created La Calavera Catrina, that famous skeletal lady in the fancy French hat. Posada wasn’t just drawing a spooky ghost; he was mocking the Mexican elite who were trying to act "too European" while ignoring their own roots.
"Death is democratic. In the end, blonde, brunette, rich or poor, all the people end up being skulls." — José Guadalupe Posada.
When you write one of these today, you’re tapping into a long line of subversion. You're saying that no matter how much money someone has or how powerful they think they are, La Flaca is coming for them just like she’s coming for the rest of us. It’s the ultimate equalizer.
Why the Tone Matters (Don't Be Mean)
There is a fine line between a calaverita and just being a jerk. Because these poems focus on someone’s flaws, it’s easy to accidentally hurt feelings. The vibe should be "playful mischief."
If you're writing one for a friend who loves tacos, you write about them trying to bribe the Reaper with a plate of al pastor. You don't write about their actual health problems or recent tragedies. That’s the unspoken rule. In Mexico, these are exchanged in offices, schools, and even read aloud on TV about celebrities.
A quick illustrative example
Here is a rough translation of how a classic poem might look:
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The baker was kneading his dough,
With flour all over his vest,
Death came and said, "Time to go,
In the graveyard, you’ll finally rest!"
The baker cried out with a plea,
"My bread is the best in the town!"
But Death said, "That’s plenty for me,
I’ll eat it while you're underground."
See? It’s silly. It’s light. It captures the person’s essence (their job or hobby) and puts them in a ridiculous situation with a skeleton.
Common Misconceptions About the Tradition
People often confuse these with ofrendas (altars) or pan de muerto (bread of the dead). While they all happen at the same time, the poems are the only part of the holiday that is purely literary and satirical.
- Misconception 1: They are for the deceased. Nope. We write obituaries for the dead. We write calaveras for the living.
- Misconception 2: They have to be scary. Not at all. If your poem is scary, you're doing it wrong. It should make people giggle or roll their eyes.
- Misconception 3: You need to be a professional writer. In Mexico, kids start writing these in primary school. It's a way to learn rhyme, meter, and how to handle the "scary" concept of death with a sense of humor.
How to Write Your Own (The "Recipe")
If you want to try your hand at calavera poems for Day of the Dead, don't overthink it. You don't need a degree in Spanish literature. You just need a "victim" and a rhyming dictionary.
- Pick your target. Choose someone you actually like. It makes the "death" part less awkward.
- Find their "thing." What is their obsession? Do they drink too much coffee? Are they always on TikTok? Are they obsessed with their cat?
- Invite the Reaper. Introduce La Muerte, La Parca, or La Flaca into the scene. She should be looking for your friend.
- The Confrontation. Describe the moment they meet. Maybe your friend tries to trick Death, or maybe Death wants to learn how to use TikTok.
- The "End." Finish with your friend being taken away to the "panteón" (cemetery).
The trick is the contrast. You use words like huesuda (bony) or pálida (pale) to describe Death, and you place her in a totally mundane setting, like a Starbucks or a gym.
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The Role of Calaveras in Modern Digital Culture
Today, these poems have migrated from newsprint to social media. During the first week of November, Mexican Twitter (X) and Instagram are flooded with short-form calaveras about tech moguls, football players, and viral memes.
Even brands get in on it. But honestly? The best ones are still the ones written by hand on a piece of notebook paper and tucked into a friend's bag. It’s a very personal, very weird way of saying "I know you, I see your quirks, and I'm glad you're still here with me."
Experts like anthropologist Claudio Lomnitz, author of Death and the Idea of Mexico, argue that this unique relationship with death is a way of processing the country's often violent or difficult history. By making death a character you can talk to, joke with, and outsmart, it becomes less of a monster and more of a neighbor.
Putting the Tradition into Practice
Instead of just reading about them, actually using this tradition can change how you view the holiday. It moves Día de los Muertos away from being a "spooky" aesthetic and into a living, breathing cultural practice.
Next Steps for Your Day of the Dead Celebration:
- Identify a person of influence in your life—a mentor, a sibling, or a close colleague—and list three of their most recognizable (and harmless) habits.
- Draft a four-line stanza where La Catrina encounters them while they are doing one of those habits. Aim for a simple AABB rhyme scheme to start.
- Read the poem aloud. These are meant for the ear, not just the eye. If the rhythm feels "clunky," shorten the lines.
- Pair the poem with a sugar skull. If you’re giving the poem as a gift, it’s traditional to include a small calavera de azúcar with the person’s name written on the forehead in icing.
- Check out local workshops. Many Mexican cultural centers or libraries host calaverita writing sessions in late October. It’s a great way to see how others handle the wordplay.
Writing a calavera is a reminder that while life is short, it's also pretty funny. Don't worry about being perfect. La Flaca isn't a critic; she’s just looking for a good story.