Poem of the Day: Papaya (by Pat Mora)

It’s my first full day in Texas! I’m here for the Texas Library Association’s annual conference, and I’m so excited to be here. Tomorrow is when all my events are scheduled for–today is for working and exploring. So after a morning of work and a quick workout, I’ll be heading out to the Alamo and then maybe taking one of the Riverwalk boat cruises. Then tonight is the All-Conference Welcome Party at the Institute of Texan Cultures. Cool!

As I’m enjoying being plopped down into a difference culture (Texas is a different world from Minnesota, even though they’re part of the same country), I’m sharing a poem from Pat Mora‘s Yum! MmMm! Que Rico! America’s Sproutings (Lee & Low, 2007). Each haiku celebrates one food native to the Americas, and vibrant, whimsical illustrations by Rafael Lopez make my mouth water (see a couple of inside art pieces here).

Here’s one that makes me hungry for hot days (not many poems can do that) and fresh fruit:

Papaya

Chewing your perfume,
we taste your leafy jungle.
Yum! Juicy tropics.

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