1

ofrenda 
his favorite meal 
rotting by his side

2

floating marigold petals
lit up 
by glistening candle light

3

our favoirte photo of us 
his favorite green picture frame 
the last to go on the ofrenda

4

sixth grade Spanish class
cutting papel picado
Coco plays faintly behind 

5

familiar faces,
others I've never seen—
I pray for all

6

candy skulls 
we dance 
with their spirits

7

grandmother’s grave
her spirit warm between
my wind-pressed palms

Amanda Spotts (3)

8

remembering my father
a shuttering breath
you shouldn’t have come

9

rows of family in pews
my youngest sister beams
with her chosen saint

10

marigolds scattered
across the streets
bringing you back

11

your favorite food
same as mine
placed under your photo

12

day of the dead
same elephant occupies
our living room

13

sweet sugar skulls
photos across the ofrenda
remembering you

14

Día de los Muertos
marigolds cross over
with glee

15

above all the rest
on the ofrenda
her only dog

16

visiting my daughter
great great grandma Coco
remember me

17

vibrant face paint
parade floats
adorned with marigolds

18

torn photo
on the ofrenda
tonight’s forgotten soul

19

sad but happy 
a day to celebrate 
those we love

Abbey Matthews (5)

20

we gather to pray
saying their names and
trading soft smiles

21

everlasting spirit 
surrounds the family 
dia de Muertos 

22

painted skulls
death tastes a little too sweet
for me

23

St. Patrick questions
his association
with leprechauns

24

dancing
sugar skulls line
the festival street

25

a golden path 
guides my family home 
petals, upon petals, upon petals

26

singing in the night
we all light candles, 
waiting for him

27

from pain to joy
we remember
those we love

28

las calaveras 
smile ever radiantly 
each year 

29

colorful faces
painted skulls
the dead come back to life

30

crunchy crystalized sugar skulls 
pink pan de muerto
my favorite holiday

31

each year
the life of the party
back once again

32

all of my favorite things
spread out on the table
welcome me home

33

staring at his photo
I know his spirit
watches over me

34

a forgotten grave
in a cemetery
full of marigold petals

35

eve of day of the dead
I prepare the food for
my lost loved ones

36

Day of the Dead
he feels her laugh
in the wind