At 8:00 AM.

The workers know me. I tip them. They start their day sweeping and

cleaning. I know them by name. Lobo and I walk to the car. Daily life

is afoot. People coming and going. Traffic is heavy. Have to drop and

feed Lobo before I go to my office. Have a few things to take care of.

My girlfriend Sara was kind on getting me my breakfast.

She had spent a happy day at her Mom’s house. Her five siblings were

there, besides a bunch of nieces and nephews. Food was good.

Her sisters and Mom are great cooks. I have a ball each time I eat at one

of their places.

And this is the contrast in my life. I enjoy my girlfriend’s company as

much as I enjoy the time by myself and Lobo next to me. And the

company of the old trees and old stones scattered all over the cemetery.

I love my neighbors. They are good kind people. Love sitting in the

Plaza reading my book in the shade having strong coffee. Smoking my

cigarette. Listening to the children’s laughter. All is good. Is all magic.

Love sleeping in my own bed in company of Sara.

The darkness of the room and the singing of the cricket in the tree by

the window.

Everything changed after spending my first night at the cemetery.

I’ve described already to you about the surroundings next to my Mom’s

stone. And the company of Lobo…the wind sinfonia through the

cadaverous tree stems…beautiful bright moon…or the rain that makes

me look for refuge in the large Mausoleum nearby.

The excitement is five times brighter than the moon’s.

And above all, above all…the silence. It can get so loud I have to drink a

long shot of Tequila to quiet it down. But I love it. I hear my thinking

loud and clear when we meet each other.

Thus, I’m looking forward to going to the cemetery this evening.

Ernesto Onofre