Multicultural Poetry

Dizzy in Your Eyes: Poems About Love

By: Pat Mora

Mora, Pat. 2010. Dizzy in Your Eyes: Poems About Love. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

ISBN: 978-0-375-94565-6

Dizzy in Your Eyes is a collection of 50 poems by Pat Mora. The age group for this book of poetry is 7th-12th grade. All 50 of the poems found within the book all focus on the concept of love. Numerous topics that evolve love are covered in the book such as boy/girl relationships, death, family, and friends. A lot of the poems use figurative language and are left up to interpretation. The emotions of the poetry in the book run deep. Love is a very emotional thing and Pat Mora brings out many emotions with her poetry about love wether good or bad.

The topics of the poems are very appealing to the teen age group. I can't think of any teenager who would not want to read about love. The concept of love reaches all people. We have all dealt with love in some form or fashion. The book and the poems are also designed and written in a way that would keep a teen's attention, meaning none of the poems are very long, and some pages only consist of a few lines. I would also say that the poems enriches or extends the readers knowledge. Pat Mora's poetry offers readers opportunities to relate but also offers others new insight and knowledge to the subject at hand. As stated before many emotions are felt when reading through the book. Emotions such as happiness, sadness, heartbreak, embarrassment, and excitement.The poems are very consistent in quality. All of the poems reinforce the purpose which is to be about love.

The agreement or layout of the book is very interesting. All of the poems are found on the right hand side of the pages. On the left hand side Mora offers poetic terms and their meanings or definitions located at the bottom of the page. The poetic terms and definitions that are in the book are: song, ode, oda, tercet, list poem, dialogue, haiku, blank verse, tanka, letter poem, pantoum, sestina, villanelle, sonnet, anaphora, lyric, couplet, acrostic, triolet, and blues. These terms come in very handy while reading through the book. The reader obtains a better understanding of poems and the many different types. Mora also offers an example when a definition is given.

Dizzy in Your Eyes is a great poetry book for teens. It focuses on a very interesting topic, which is love. It provides great room for relating to the poetry written. Even if some of the poetry is figurative and left up for interpretation the poems allow for the reader to relate with their own experiences.

Valentine to Papi

I kept looking in the mirror

and touching my grown-up hair.

Remember, Papi, ten years ago?

You smiled when you saw me

wearing a new yellow dress.

I was shining for my cousin's wedding.

Your smile lit the room.

Strangers who said they were my aunts,

uncles, great-aunts,

kept squeezing me.

I'd smooth and straighten my dress.

When the romantic music started,

Mami looked at you

and pointed at me.

You looked down

and took my hands,

mine cold, yours warm.

I put my shiny shoes on yours,

and we danced.

Ten years later, in my heart

we still dance

perfectly, Papi.

Activity: I loved this poem about a girl reflecting back on her memory of a dearly loved family member. Teens I feel could really relate to this poem. You could introduce the poem by asking students to share some favorite memories they have about their favorite family members. Then read the poem titled "Valentine to Papi." After reading the poem students could reflect on their own memories and write their own Valentine to a family member or late family member.