The Race
by Jennifer Trujillo
She rode a horse name Fina
when women didn't ride.
They galloped around the mountain,
her legs on Fina's side.
She let her hair down from its bun
and felt it whip and fly.
She laughed and sang and whooped out loud,
up there she wasn't shy!
One day great-grandma found her out
and planned to stop it all.
But down in town they've heard some news...
they told her of a call.
A call for the caballeros
rom all the highs and lows
to race their fancy caballos
to try and the rose.
Abuela looked at Fina,
a twinkle in her eye.
Abuela said "lets enter!
This race deserves a try".
At dawn she was the only girl,
but didn't even care.
She came to meet the challenge, and
her horse was waiting there.
They swept across the finish line
much faster than the rest.
She flung her hat without surprise;
she'd always done her best.
Fina shook her mane and stomped.
Abuela flashed a smile.
She sniffed the rose and trotted off
in caballera style.
Extension: Discuss the poem. Ask the student why was it important that Abuela won the race? Discuss other firsts for women. Chart students responses and ideas. Have them write a letter to their mother thanking her for a "first" that she gave you or helped you with.