‘Calavera’ Published at Lamplit Underground!
I am delighted to share my poem, Calavera, is included on page twenty seven in issue four, Monster, of the literary magazine from Lamplit Underground!
Lamplit Underground “is an online literary/arts magazine devoted to all that is slightly odd, a touch off-putting and in most cases, beautifully so . . . It is nostalgic, it is unique, it is frightening. It is not a haven for the crude or the rude, but rather the brave, the adventurous and the eerily grotesque.” As this magazine “gives voice to new and published writers alike and strives to bring its subscribers fresh, insightful and preferably spine-tingling art’, I am honored to have my poem included in the latest season-appropriate issue, Monsters.
I have not done much traveling, but the trips I have taken are dear to me. It was in October of last year that I flew by plane alone for the first time in my life to spend ten days with my aunt in the gastronomic city of Tucson, Arizona.
I had the joy of experiencing the rich food and the wonders of this big city; mostly the colorful and also sad decorations for the upcoming All Souls Procession. Celebrated once a year, Tucson’s streets are filled with people in costume and face paint, all marching along one route and remembering their departed loved ones.
A calavera is a colorful representation of the human skull, but the term is often applied to edible or decorative skulls made from sugar or clay that are used in the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead and the Roman Catholic holiday All Souls’ Day.
I wrote this poem the night after I walked in the All Souls Procession in memory of a friend who went to a happier place.
This past week, four of my friends, family, and friends of friends have passed away, not to mention the strong woman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Calavera could not have come out at a better time to make me remember the importance of remembering and honoring those who leave this life for another, as well as what they achieved during their lifetimes.
Please enjoy Calavera and think of your loved ones.
Leave me with shadows in my eyes
On this lonely walk
To the graveyard in Tucson
Where I join the march of dead . . . please continue reading here and feel free to share your beautiful thoughts!
Photo by Mario Mendez on Unsplash
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Dawn Pisturino
A beautiful and thought-provoking poem, Layla!
Natasha Evans
Congrats on the publication!
Tash // A Girl with a View
Nancy
Congratulations on getting Calavera published! Oooh, I like that you’re even diversifying your publications!! Super cool. I feel you about not traveling much. It is great that this piece was inspired by your trip to Tucson. I love the colorfulness of food when it comes to Mexican cuisine. Their celebration for the Day of the Dead is very cool too. Thank you for sharing this piece!
Nancy ✨ exquisitely.me
jazminheavenblog
Congratulations. I am so sorry for your loss x
Vinn
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your loved ones. Beautiful poem, remembering our departed loved ones. Keep sharing your gift and touch more hearts.
glowsteady
I’m so sorry for your loss. Congratulations on getting yet another poem published. This one is absolutely beautiful x
Sophie
Allegra Caro
Congratulations! That’s such an impressive achievement. I am glad you published your poem. Keep up with the good work, girl!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you so much!
The busy shelf
First of all, fantastic poem! I just learned what calavera is because of it too 🙂
Secondly, congratulations on being published! You deserve it <3
nianni
Nice poem. I didn’t even know calavera was what it was called, now I understand it better especially relating to the Mexican culture. A good poem as always, I can tell it was written from the depth of your heart. Sorry for your loss.
short-prose-fiction
Java, congratulations. It’s an exceptional piece.
marisbave
Congratulations! It’s always so exciting to get published.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you! The feeling always stays young.
Hayley
First of all, I am so sorry for all of your recent losses Jaya!
But also congratulations on getting another wonderful poem published. I loved that line “where I know the bones of my neighbors” – literal chills!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for your kind words, Hayley! So happy you enjoyed this piece.
Philip Edwards
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rishika Kakar
Your poetry talks so poignantly of loved ones lost. Congratulations on being published again! You completely deserve the honor and many more. I’m sorry to hear about your losses. I hope you stay strong. Your words honour and pay tribute to all those departed souls. ❤️✨
Jaya Avendel
Thank you so much!
Lisa's Notebook
Congratulations on being published again but oh, I’m so sorry for your loss, Jaya. Thinking of you and yes, we must all hold our friends and family close while we can. x
Dennis
Beautifully written Jaya! I’m sorry to hear of your loss.
subversopus
Beautiful. All your work is amazing!
Elle
Hi, Jaya! Another great poem you have! It literally gave me goosebumps. 😂 congratulations on yet again another published poem! I voted for the poem you included at the last part 😉 I hope it helps! More power to you! xo
Jaya Avendel
Thanks so much, Elle! Your words make my day.
barbaraleaver
Congratulations on your publication. Honouring those that we have lost keeps them alive in our minds
Jaya Avendel
So it does!
quirkymoms486
So sorry for your loss Jaya. So beautifully written!
Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)
I am so sorry to hear of your loss Jaya. Hugs.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Michelle! Means a lot.
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
I am so sorry too.
Embrace
FN
So vividly, sympathetically and beautifully expressed. Thank you for the reminder to honour our dearly departed ones.