The poem “In the Blood” by Pat Mora isn’t exactly what you may think it means. You think it means something violent or gory, but is actually about getting older, and this is a red haring. Red haring means something leads you to believe something that isn’t true, like the title of this poem. This poem is actually about getting older, and living life to the fullest when you’re old and young. The title tricks you into thinking something else. Some poets use this for mystery, and some use it for fun, but it depends on the poet’s personality and style of writing. Lines from the poem that indicate it is about having fun if you’re old or young are “the brown eyed child and white haired grandfather dance in the silent afternoon.” This poem is very well written. Don’t always think something about a title because it might not be true.
In The Blood by Pat Mora
The brown-eyed child
and the white-haired grandfather
dance in the silent afternoon.
They snap their fingers
to a rhythm only those
who love can hear.
“Teenagers” by Pat Mora explains the life of teenagers and the way they act. Almost everything in here is like the life of a teenager because it is easy to relate to being a teenager my self. It says, “ One day they disappear into their rooms. Doors and lips shut and we become strangers in our own home.” This line from the poem is true for most teenagers. Lots of teens I know run to their rooms slam there doors and then its almost like you don’t know them anymore. My parents say that they don’t know me anymore and I go up to my room and don’t come out for hours. It’s just how teens become when they’re older. If you’ve have ever been a teen or are about to be I can guarantee something in this poem is something that you will once do to.
Teenagers
One
day they disappear
into their rooms.
Doors and lips shut
and we become strangers
in our own home.
I pace the hall, hear whispers,
A code I knew but can’t remember
Mouthed by mouths I taught to speak.
Years later the door opens.
I see faces I once held,
Open as sunflowers in my hands. I see
Familiar skin now stretched on long bodies
That move past me
Glowing
Almost like pearls