The Train of My Life
And so, this is my life as of today.
A taxi to drop my daughter off to
school, then he throws me at the nearest bus stop. Twenty-three one-way subway
stations and one more rickety minibus to get to work. A working day of nine to
twelve hours, at least. An electronic checker. I appreciate it too much!
On the way back I skip the taxi —unnecessary
expense— the minibus replaces it, and then the twenty-three subway stations: In
front of me it passes the traveling circus of my town.
The curtain rises. The clowns
arrive on stage. What wit! They come disguised as youngsters of the same ilk —
not a bad word. Superb dialogue of real quacks. I listen attentively (perhaps
it will help me to write a poem tomorrow). With all the tricks at their
disposal, gestures, grimaces and strange movements, they establish a real
contest to attract the attention of the respectable. I am fascinated by a
baggage of new ... Words???
An old lady sells sweets and
proclaims: There is a movie projection in downtown! And it´s very good! He
adds, smiling. She walks away dragging her old and wasted tennis shoes. She doesn't
know what flavor of the past she leaves in me, here inside.
Now to the right, The King of
Darkness makes his entrance, tied to a dog that does not juggle. He brings
music with him. A large bell made of a can of chili peppers and coins inside.
Chewing gum! Chewing gum! Sweet! Chocolates!
Then, the Shirtless arrives at one
side of the train car and opens a blanket of colored little pieces of glass. He
jumps and with a big Zas! He whips, and new red dots appear on his back
(fortunately his confetti did not reach my white shirt). His number hurts me
more than him, and after this brief show he goes to the other side of the car. “A
two-ring circus” I said. This is only seen in a night subway car. I follow the
show with my eyes and I feel the same as when the bullet man goes off in the
other circus or when the flier hesitates on the trapeze. A boy of about four
years old follows him. He shouts: Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! I think that the trade
has already an heir.
Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Have a
good night! Bonne nuit. How are you! The teacher of foreign languages makes his
arrival and offers to learn Spanish the easiest way. Coloring and cutting: Window,
ventana; door, puerta; duckling, patito; chick, pollito or pollita, whatever
you want, but be careful ‘cause in Spanish that word has two very different
meanings, same as in English, and you could make a big mistake. All for only
two dollars! And I who once paid for a course in a university abroad. How I
regret it!
Harmonica music. Wow! An old woman
gives a concert of invented melodies. I fail to recognize any, and then I lose.
I pay my bet: a few coins that in total make one dollar and a half.
The common denominator is not very
even. Sometimes boats, little buckets, children who follow, the bag next to the
guitar or the woman who accompanies and extends her hand. This is the circus of
my town.
∞- - - - -∞∞- - - - -∞∞- - - - -∞∞- - -
- -∞∞- - - - -∞
Intermediate. The driver of the circus
train makes a formal announcement. Hidalgo Station, correspondence with the
Indios Verdes - University line. I change my seat.
Suddenly the curtain opens and the
Solitary Troubadour appears (with everything, hat, boots and amplifier!).
Bolivarian verses. This is indeed an International Circus!!! I recognize the
quality and I contribute. He was also one of the few who did not mention in his
speech, God.
Bee and viper venom! Arnica and
camphor ointment! The doctor who heals the strangest ailments! The balsamic
ointment that works while you sleep! I see the miraculous healer pass by and I
think my personal doctors have been ripping me off. I wonder if he will heal
heart ailments.
Finally, it seems that the show
comes to a good port — One never knows. A sad and half happiness invades me —it
is fatigue, I tell myself, to give me some strength to continue on (I still
need to ride a last minibus) -. The Master of Ceremony announces in a clear
voice:
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