The Literary Calavera or calavera literaria (Spanish: literary skull) is a traditional Mexican literary form: a satirical or light-hearted writing in verse, often composed for the Day of the Dead.[1][2] In some parts of Mexico, it is a common tradition for children and adults to write "Calaveritas" (short for "Calavera literaria") for friends, colleagues, or relatives, in which the addressee is typically portrayed as dead.