Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Do Prenatal Vitamins Make Your Nails Grow





long time ... the devil lived in the church of San Andrés. Tucked away in a black cassock, gave Mass, heard confessions of parishioners and led the school of the congregation. Soledad, just a teenager, went to Mass every Sunday to fulfill the dictates of his mother who, after the recent death of her husband, was spent praying. Soledad only thing he loved to listen, Mass, were sermons (when the priest told stories of the life led by the saints). The young priest he looked very young and intelligent and had a persuasive voice, he persuaded his mother that it was time that his daughter could take catechism and first communion. Soledad obey (obedience was the only legacy he had left his father). Taught in catechism which were the ten commandments and sins. Then came the big day. Before communion, must confess. Soledad obeyed (as always) and knelt in the confessional with her snowy dress made for the occasion. Through a small window, just ajar, he heard the priest asking, "what sins you've made?. She struggled but could not remember any. Then lied: I borrowed a pen to my partner bank and not returned (answered). Forgot ordered the seventh commandment: "Do not steal" (said the priest, and went on), will you promise not to do it? Yes ... (Her voice trembling). You are forgiven. Pray one Our Father and three Hail Marys and go in peace (ending cure.) Soledad felt for the first time a sinner: he lied. Became distraught thinking that after the first sin, perhaps committing others. No, it does not allow it. Began to read stories of people who by dint of sacrifice had become saints. The one that impressed her most was the St. Francis of Assisi. He considered the purest of heart. He had never lied (he thought) and decided to follow his example of life. When I was visiting did not repeat a portion of food offered to him (though his stomach being asked), not wanting to commit the second deadly sin: gluttony. At night, once turned off the light, pulled the mattress of his bed and slept on the strip. On rising body ached. Provided that sacrifice in return for the crown of thorns, the nails and the wound he saw the body of Jesus on the crucifix hanging in their home. He joined the Brotherhood of the Virgen del Carmen. They gave him a scapular and a leather belt to be worn over their clothes. It was not enough for her: put the belt on the skin and adjusted to feel pain. Do not take it out or to swim, only once did, when the pain of a wound to become unbearable. No one expected it (would not make the seventh deadly sin: pride), but the priest himself. He, smiling mouth and eyes. I'm glad you're on the right path (he said).
It was then that an event occurred that shook the parish. A car crashed after leaving a hotel accommodation. Inside they found a man and a woman unharmed wound. The man was the priest of the Church of San Andrés, the woman the president of mothers of school club. To the adulteress stoned to death for the neighborhood, not seen again. Soledad is reeled all beliefs learned: not order the ninth commandment, not desiring your neighbor's wife? He felt anger, the fifth deadly sin. The devil a black cassock, he was transferred to another parish. They say he left with his head high and smiling, as only he knew how.
Now, Soledad is my wife and we have no secrets. No longer goes to church. He has invented his own prayers. You feel liberated. Now it's your own conscience that tells him what to do. But ... some nights suffers nightmares, wake up anxious, sweaty and snuggles in my arms. Darling, I promise not to leave again (I beg). I can not make that promise.

Monday, March 29, 2010

School Community Service Fake

ARGENTINA 1976





I never thought that a sadness so dark the school grounds without men, the same who lived in the schoolyards without women. Helena knew already, now do not expect Diego to output; Diego doubted if they ever would again. I was already certain that along with Sonia, never could go to the Villa 31. I invented rational windows to continue: mists alternately thicken and dissipate, humanity rises without rest to remote peaks (I repeat, the passage of the hours). Everyone knew the reason for the sadness in the Normal School. Sometimes, my father and my mother were discussing the disappearance of Diego and shouted at each other: for nothing will! (Said my father.) You know why! What bastards! (Replied my mother, crying). That "something" never talked to me. Helena hurt to breath. I asked for answers: Why Diego? "We happen to us as well? Do you happen to others?. Death had taken over the streets. The windows were closed, only a few, who did not care, or were for celebration, they were open. We must do something, and soon (helena said, impatiently.) I looked at her, looking inside me a response to comfort. I did not want us to touch our wounds, only to stop the bleeding. Everything has its time, and everything you want ... it's time (I said). I needed someone to Helena or anyone else, to believe what he was saying. Used to appeal to the hidden-up when I needed to feel safe. Now thirty-four years. I remade my life (I?). Yesterday I stopped at a window of Corrientes and Callao. From within came to me unmistakable strains of a tango, "crazy, crazy, crazy ... ". I read a worn and dirty and paper pasted on the glass by who knows whom: EMERGENCE OF JULY LOPEZ ALIVE!. Helena was right, (I told the indifferent passing me by).

Friday, March 5, 2010

Alice In Wonderland Infants



Teatro Nacional Cervantes (Argentina)

The theater is full. The lights point to the glitter of the jewels of the women. The curtain has not yet been raised. A man appears, walking on the edge of the stage with fear of falling. The surprise of the spectators made to silence the murmurs.
The man clears his throat and then begins to speak: I am here and you looking at me. You can probably guess that I am not one of the actors who have come to work see. Do not get impatient. I had to convince the theater owner to agree to give me a few minutes to ask a favor. Need to Know if He (the look), is here. Mom said he went every Saturday to the theater (y. .. today is Saturday), that she had wanted to, but a washerwoman could not afford them, yes. Think he was the son of the governor of the province (justified with tenderness). Yesterday I wanted to go to his grave in the hope of finding it. It will be useless (I said), the dead do not lie in their graves. And then ... where is my father? (I asked). He did not want me to know, but I never cease to find it. I will give data of his face that I picked up out there: always wears a suit and tie, shined shoes and good hair "to the hair gel." It has a grim expression, as someone angry with life, but his eyes ... his eyes denote a sad sweetness. Look at those beside him before turning off the lights and if they recognize it, I beg you to tell me: I need answers to understand. We apologize for the tone of my voice and my tears. I know many of you are thinking: What do I care what this guy is saying? Are wrong, what is it theater?: The reflection of life ... Sorry, I have to leave, came to look for two men in white, are those who care for me. If you see Him, you know where to find me. Thanks.
He bows and leaves where it came.