#molinero

[ochoislas]

EL MOLINERO

Al viejo molinero del molino negro, una tarde de invierno lo enterraron, con frío rugoso y afilado cierzo, en campo de cenizas y cicutas.

Su falsa claridad vibraba el día contra la pala del sepulturero; rondaba un perro cerca de la fosa que a cada resplandor ladraba.

La pala, paletada a paletada, variando como un espejo, relucía y se hincaba y mordía la tierra violentada.

Cayó el sol bajo las dudosas sombras.

A contraluz del cielo, un insecto parecía el sepulturero, enorme, luchando contra el miedo; la pala entre sus manos temblaba, se esborregaba la tierra, y por mucho que hacía, nunca colma, la fosa ante sus ojos igual que la noche se ensanchaba.

Allá abajo en el pueblo, nadie prestó dos sábanas al muerto.

Allá abajo en el pueblo, nadie dijo una plegaria.

Allá abajo en el pueblo, nadie dobló campanas por el muerto.

Allá abajo en el pueblo, nadie quiso clavar el ataúd.

Y las casa y cabañas enfrente del cementerio, por no ver, cerraban todas los postigos, calle abajo.

Y se sintió el sepulturero solo delante del difunto sin mortaja por quien todos llevaron el odio y el temor en las venas.

Sobre su mota murria de tarde, el viejo molinero del molino negro, vivió antaño conforme con la extensión y el espacio y el frenético vuelo de las tormentas asidas a la tralla del viento nortizo; su corazón había escuchado despacio lo que las bocas de oro y de sombra de los astros revelan a quienes atienden lo eterno; el yermo gris de sobrias bermejuelas lo había cercado del misterio donde las cosas despiertan al alma, le hablan y la aconsejan; los grandes flujos que lo animado atraviesan trasfundieron su espíritu con brío, tanto que en su alma aislada y profunda sintió el simple, leudar el mundo entero.

Ni los más viejos sabían de cuando, lejos del pueblo, pervivía allá arriba, las carreras y el vuelo avizorando de lumbres en las nubes, y sus signos.

Intimidaba por el silencio con que había, callado, tejido su existencia; aún más intimidaba por los dorados ojos de su molino, abiertos en la noche.

Y no habría sabido nadie de su agonía, luego su muerte, de no ser por las cuatro alas que a lo desconocido aspaba, como perennes súplicas, que un día amanecieron para siempre inmóviles, detenidas y negras, como cruz sobre sino.

Olas de sombra, en turbamulta, subir veía el sepulturero, y las cerradas ventanas del pueblo difuminarse y desaparecer.

La universal desazón pobló la soledad de gritos; rebozado en pardo y negro pasaba el viento como un tal; de enemigos confines cuanto es vago se concretaba en afiebrados roces, hasta que, con espanto en los ojos, tirando la pala a un lado, multiplicados brazos de la noche tras él, amenazantes, como un ladrón salió corriendo.                                Entonces, fue total el silencio en lo vasto, se agigantó en la tierra abierta el hoyo, y ya nada se movió; y sola la insaciable llana resorbió en su inmensidad de nortada y de sombra aquel muerto cuya vida inconmensurara su misterio, exaltándola al infinito.

*

LE MEUNIER

Le vieux meunier du moulin noir, On l’enterra, l’hiver, un soir De froid rugueux, de bise aiguë En un terrain de cendre et de ciguës.

Le jour dardait sa clarté fausse Sur la bêche du fossoyeur ; Un chien errait près de la fosse, L’aboi tendu vers la lueur.

La bêche, à chacune des pelletées, Telle un miroir se déplaçait, Luisait, mordait et s’enfonçait, Sous les terres violentées. Le soleil chut sous les ombres suspectes.

Sur fond de ciel, le fossoyeur, Comme un énorme insecte, Semblait lutter avec la peur ; La bêche entre ses mains tremblait, Le sol se crevassait Et quoi qu’il fît, rien ne comblait Le trou qui, devant lui, Comme la nuit, s’élargissait.

Au village là-bas, Personne au mort n’avait prêté deux draps.

Au village là-bas, Nul n’avait dit une prière.

Au village là-bas, Personne au mort n’avait sonné le glas.

Au village là-bas, Aucun n’avait voulu clouer la bière.

Et les maisons et les chaumières Qui regardaient le cimetière, Pour ne point voir, étaient là toutes, Volets fermés, le long des routes.

Le fossoyeur se sentit seul Devant ce défunt sans linceul Dont tous avaient gardé la haine Et la crainte, dans les veines.

Sur sa butte morne de soir, Le vieux meunier du moulin noir, Jadis, avait vécu d’accord Avec l’espace et l’étendue Et le vol fou des tempêtes pendues Aux crins battants des vents du Nord ; Son cœur avait longuement écouté Ce que les bouches d’ombre et d’or Des étoiles dévoilent Aux attentifs d’éternité ; Le désert gris des bruyères austères L’avait cerné de ce mystère Où les choses pour les âmes s’éveillent Et leur parlent et les conseillent ; Les grands courants qui traversent tout ce qui vit Étaient, avec leur force, entrés dans son esprit, Si bien que par son âme isolée et profonde Ce simple avait senti passer et fermenter le monde.

Les plus anciens ne savaient pas Depuis quels jours, loin du village, Il perdurait, là-bas, Guettant l’envol et les voyages Et les signes des feux dans les nuages.

Il effrayait par le silence Dont il avait, sans bruit, Tissé son existence ; Il effrayait encor Par les yeux d’or De son moulin tout à coup clairs, la nuit.

Et personne n’aurait connu Son agonie et puis sa mort, N’étaient que les quatre ailes Qu’il agitait vers l’inconnu, Comme des suppliques éternelles, Ne s’étaient, un matin, Définitivement fixées, Noires et immobilisées, Telle une croix sur un destin.

Le fossoyeur voyait l’ombre et ses houles Grandir comme des foules Et le village et ses closes fenêtres Se fondre au loin et disparaître.

L’universelle inquiétude Peuplait de cris la solitude ; En voiles noirs et bruns, Le vent passait comme quelqu’un ; Tout le vague des horizons hostiles Se précisait en frôlements fébriles Jusqu’au moment où, les yeux fous, Jetant sa bêche n’importe où, Avec les bras multiples de la nuit En menaces, derrière lui, Comme un larron, il s’encourut.                                Alors, Le silence se fit, total, par l’étendue, Le trou parut géant dans la terre fendue Et rien ne bougea plus ; Et seules les plaines inassouvies Absorbèrent, en leur immensité D’ombre et de Nord, Ce mort Dont leur mystère avait illimité Et exalté jusques dans l’infini, la vie.

Émile Verhaeren

di-versión©ochoislas

[longingforrotkehlchen]

It's the other Spatz. Its scientific name is passer alter.

Feldsperling (Eurasian tree sparrow) am Langwieser See, Plieningen.

[numbugwritingblog]

The Immortal Tale of Diego Sánchez (Chapter 1)

Index

---

08/01/2009

Today was a celebration. Numerous people had all gathered up with one unified purpose, each greeting each other with a smile and pleasant talk all to catch up.

Today was the birthday of Diego Molinero Sánchez. His 497th birthday.

Among those attending was a girl, a hybrid between a rosy maple moth and a panda – ensuring her freshly pupated bright pink and yellow fluff was stylised similarly to a panda, and also her absolutely massive size compared to the other moth children, and even some of the adults. She was only coming up short in comparison to the few non-moth guests attending.

She was so big, in fact, that her fluffy wings couldn’t lift her off the ground, forcing her to walk around. This was the first time she had attended Diego’s party, on account of either being a baby caterpillar or stuck pupating in a tree.

“Dad?” She asked aloud, looking over to her father – whom she was already around the same height as.

He looked back to her, tilting his head. “Yes, little Mina?” Even though she was going to get taller than him any day now, he wasn’t ever going to stop calling her his “little” Mina.

“Is Diego-”

“Uh,” he quickly cut her off. “He’s your great, great, great… er, greatest grandpa.”

“… Right,” she said with a slow nod. “Is my ‘greatest’ grandpa the oldest person in the world?”

He nodded. “Uh… yes?”

She nodded, tilting her head. “How old’s the next oldest person?”

Her father paused, he needed a moment to think. “Uh… about a hundred? I think?”

Her moth eyes widened at the news. “How did he do that?!”

“How did- you mean living so long?”

“Yeah! How did greatest grandpa do that?”

He let out a sigh, scratching his head. “… How about you ask him yourself? I’m sure he has a better idea than me.”

That was when a rather large panda came walking right in, towering over absolutely everyone else in the party. “Mina! Maneul!” She scooped the both of them up in a big hug. “I found Diego, let’s give him our gift together!”

Before either of them could say anything she carried them off in her arms, straight up the stairs. “I got the gift nice and safe!”

She took a turn through the hallway, up to the balcony up top, where a butterfly was seated, playing a lute to the crowd of children surrounding him. The butterfly was what we’d call a Mexican blue wing butterfly, but is known in this world as a Cualitlek blue wing butterfly. Dressed in a shirt and jeans traditional to the country of his namesake species, he looked like a rather young adult.

Mina noticed that one of his four hands was different from the rest, looking grey and… fake. “What happened to your hand?” She asked aloud, the lute-playing butterfly ceasing at the question.

“Hm?” Looking over to Mina and her parents, his face lit up into a wide smile – passing the lute to a young girl in the front, another Cualitlek blue wing butterfly – as he made his way over to greet them and gave them both a hug. “Camilla! Maneul! Good to see you two!” He looked at Mina, smiling wide. “And you must be Mina, I’ve heard so much about you!”

Mina tilted her head, looking up to her mother. Did they know him?

“So sorry about our lovely Mina here, she didn’t mean anything by it, grandpa,” Mina’s dad spoke up.

Wait. “This is greatest grandpa?!” Mina looked up in confusion, turning to him and then back to her dad. “He’s younger than you, dad!”

Diego let out a hearty chuckle, smiling wide. “Yes, that’s right, soy el major abuelo, but you can always call me grandpa, or Diego if that’s what you’d prefer.”

Soy el major abuelo???

Diego held out an arm for a shake – his upper right arm, with the strange looking hand. “And as for your other question, this is a prosthetic, I lost my hand some time ago.”

Mina looked at the hand with curiosity, before reaching out to shake it. “So it’s like a new hand?”

Diego let out a hum. “In a way.”

“Diego-”

“It’s grandpa-” Mina’s dad didn’t get to say much before he, too, was interrupted.

“Diego’s fine,” Diego had a warm smile on his face, looking to Mina’s dad with a small nod. “She just met me, let her decide if and when to call me grandpa.” He then looked back to Mina – he would be kneeling down if she wasn’t already so tall. “Do you have another question for me?”

“Yeah!” Mina said with a nod. “How are you so old?”

Mina’s mother looked down to her with shock. “Mina!”

Diego chuckled. “No no, I get it. If you learn someone’s almost quinientos years old you’re going to want to know why too.”

Mina finally struggled free from her mother’s grasp, standing tall and curious. “Yeah, you get it! You’re… Quinientos?”

“Five hundred.” After answering, Diego made his way back to his chair and sat down. “Well the truth is, I wish I knew myself. Really, it took me a while just to learn that I wasn’t getting older like everyone else was.”

“How did you find out?” One of the various children asked curiously.

Diego closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath in before a wide smile formed on his face. “If you want to know, I’m happy to tell all of you kids about my early years.”

“It’s your party,” Mina’s dad stepped in, even as Mina sat down amongst the rest of the children. “I can get someone to look after the kids.”

Diego shook his head. “Nonsense, the party’s so that I can meet all of my family, and that includes the kids. Please.”

Mina’s dad sighed. “I… alright, grandpa, if this is what you want.”

Mina’s mom held up her gift, smiling wide. “This is for you!”

Diego let out a small chuckle. “Please, gifts are not required-”

“I insist!”

Diego put a hand on his chin. “Alright then, there’s a pile of gifts in the lounge from everyone else who also insisted, I can open it up with them later, after the party itself.”

“Okay then!” Mina’s mother rushed off to put the gift in its rightful place, all while Diego looked to the small crowd of children gathered, all waiting for his story.

Diego smiled wide. “Well, it was 497 years ago, today, that I was born...”

---

08/01/1512

I came to this world with a padre from Ibleñia, and a Mexican native madre, the two had met and fallen in love even amongst all the chaos of the war the two were united on, and they stayed even once the other men began seeking girlfriends and wives from their homes.

“¡Tengo un hijo...!” My father, from what I heard, was absolutely ecstatic at the sight of me. His rough exterior melted the moment he laid eyes upon me, even as my mother held me close to keep me warm.

To the two of them, this was the most important day of their lives. To the world at large, it was just a normal birth. As far as anyone could tell, I was an ordinary baby.

---

08/01/2009

“Excuse me?”

Diego blinked, looking over to Mina. “Yes, what is it?”

“What are those words you said?”

“¿Tengo un hijo?” Diego asked again.

“Yeah!” Mina called out. “What is that?”

“Oh!” Diego nodded. “It’s Spanish for ‘I have a son’, what I was told my father said.”

“Oh! Okay!” Mina called out.

Diego nodded, smiling wide as he took in a breath to continue.

“I don’t know Spanish.”

Diego let out a small, thoughtful sigh – not one of annoyance of frustration, but one of contemplation. “Right, right, most of you grew up only knowing English. I’ll try to keep everything in English – though I might throw in a word or two of Spanish.”

He cleared his throat, ready to continue.

---

16/07/1523

Growing up, Pa and Ma did everything in their power to take good care of me, making sure that I not only grew up safe, but with the knowledge both of them had. One big passion I had early on was for music, practising on pa’s lute. When Pa noticed, he bought me a lute of my own and began tutoring me himself.

Don’t let anyone tell you that learning to play music well is easy.

Why, I still remember one day where I was practising my lute in front of pa, and one of the strings snapped.

I wasn’t very good at music, and this in particular upset me quite a lot. I remember just dropping my instrument to the ground with anger.

My Pa immediately picked it back up and looked me in the eye. “You need to treat it with care.”

“I give up, I’ll never be good at this stupid thing!”

My dad gave a small chuckle. He took a spare string out, and began the process of replacing the broken string with a new string. “Maybe you’re right.” He strummed it for a moment to test the new string, before passing it back. “But maybe you’re not. You like playing, don’t you?”

I sighed. He had to be going somewhere with this. “Yes…”

“I know you won’t believe me if I said you were good, no matter how sincere I was. But the fact that you don’t think you are doesn’t change the fact you like playing, right?”

“… Right.” I was now looking him in the eye in turn, instead of on my lute.

He shoved it right back into my hands. “Keep practising.”

“But pa-”

“You only have one life! I want you to be the man who makes the most of it, instead of the man who looks back and wonders if he could have done things differently.”

I look back down, taking in a heavy breath. “But it won’t be good.”

“So?”

I didn’t say anything more, instead I continued practising. I hoped he was right.

---

08/01/2009

“And he was.” Diego gently picked the lute back up, mesmerising the kids by playing a short tune. “And I’m glad I kept at it, because it was only a few years before I met someone very special.”

He let out a slow, soft sigh, smiling wide as he thought back. “This was the day I met my first wife, Maria.”

---

03/10/1529

She was a lovely girl, always full of spirit, and a hauntingly beautiful singing voice that always put the angels to shame. In fact I was doing some errands for my Pa when I heard that voice ring out for the first time.

Her family recently moved in and set up the local flower shop, and she was vocalising to herself while watering the garden that lined the walls of the store.

I was supposed to just get something quick and then head right back, but her song, her words, they had captivated me so much. I was just there, no concerns in my mind besides that beautiful voice…

… Well, until she noticed me. When I realised how I must’ve looked, I took a step back. “You-”

“Don’t talk with any rich boys.” Maria’s father had also noticed me staring, and came out. “They’ll act like you’re their angel before dropping you for their traída.” Before he even gave her a chance to speak he ushered her straight inside, barely giving me the time to let out a quick wave.

I needed to focus, and I made my way in to purchase… I don’t remember what it was now. But I still remember that as I was talking to her father, I noticed her hear peeking out from the door frame to look at me.

I only looked at her once I knew her father was distracted, and only so she knew I wasn’t just ignoring her.

---

07/11/1529

It was the next day that I took my lute and sat a small distance away from the store. I sat on a chair and began playing. I knew my music wasn’t as good as her wonderful voice, but I hoped it would be enough to draw her out. After all, it was like Pa said – I only had one life.

I remember feeling sweat on my neck when I saw Maria emerge from the store, especially once she saw that it was me playing.

And I remember that my heart sank when she came back inside.

It was okay, though. I knew it wasn’t going to happen. I continued the song I had, not wanting to leave my song unfinished.

Then she came back out, walking up towards me. She sat down on one side of the path, and she immediately began singing.

She stole the show, and I was just trying to match her beautiful voice (and failing), but it was okay. It wasn’t about being as good as I could, it was about sharing our music with each other.

---

08/01/2009

“Maria must be wonderful,” Mina said softly, already captivated by the story. It sounded so magical, just getting close to someone without needing a single word.

Diego nodded, letting out a heavy sigh. “She really was…”

When the small butterfly in front of him raised an arm, he looked over to them. “Yes, Azulita?”

“Can I meet Maria?”

“…” Diego gently put a hand over his own chest, closing his eyes. “Bless her soul, but I’m the only one who ended up living so long.”

“So what happened to her?”

Diego stopped playing his lute, looking to Azulita. “You’ll... hear it soon.” He took a small breath, closing his eyes. Taking a moment before he composed himself enough to continue, music starting back up.

---

17/10/1530

Today was a day like any other, Maria and I met in secret, I was playing my lute to signal where I was to her, and she would begin singing to let me know she arrived. Today we chose to sit by this old tree that was half-bent – it’s still around last time I was in the country.

We had gotten the wonderful idea to work on making our own song together – not only did we both get to practice with other people, but it meant that if anyone spotted us, we had an excuse ready to go if someone spot us together.

And we had just finished another practise of our duet together, and I was sitting on the branch of the tree, idly strumming my lute. “Your voice is perfect.” Of course it was, she was an angel in disguise as far as I cared. “I wish I could keep my fingers strumming along fast enough to keep up.”

She let out a small giggle at that. Before I could ask what was so funny she spoke. “I was just thinking the opposite, your skill with that lute is so… mesmerising… but my voice is so shrill in comparison.”

That was nonsense, and I made sure to tell her. “Your voice, it’s as perfect and wonderful as your face, I could spend all day just appreciating you and I’d be happy.”

She lets out a small bow in response, a faint blush behind her smile. “Thank you, but I really do need to work on my voice…”

I wasn’t thinking straight anymore, I just wanted to show her how wonderful she was. “I wish you would hear what I do.” So I hopped off the branch and began walking towards her.

She knelt down, smiling wide as she put a hand on my shoulder. “I wish the same thing, for you to hear the magical lute that I can.”

I didn’t answer her. I’m not even sure I realised what she said in the moment. I just gave her a kiss. My first kiss. Her first kiss.

And when it was over, we stared into each other’s eyes. I wish that moment lasted forever.

But reality caught up with us, and we both backed away. As much as we both wanted it… I knew I just made a mistake.

“I’m sorry.” She was already backing up. “But we can’t… My father wouldn’t-”

I was already backing up too, shaking my head. “I know. I- I need to go.” I picked up my lute and left.

---

04/06/1532

I remember practising with ma, playing the lute while she played on her flute, and we were toying around with two very different styles of music. I spotted Maria from the corner of my eye, passing by our front window with some man.

Ma must have noticed, because she stopped playing her trumpet to look at me. “What’s gotten you feeling down?”

I put my lute down and turned to her. “I… You remember Maria?”

“Si.”

I put a hand on the table, I wasn’t sure how to bring it up yet. “Well… I liked her. And she liked me.”

“Then go to her,” Ma suggested with a warm smile.

“I can’t. Not only does her father not approve, but she’s with someone else now.”

Ma nodded slowly. “I’m sorry to hear, my little Diego…”

“I never should have kissed her. At least then we’d still be talking, and-”

“You only live once, Diego.” I had to stop and blink. “Go to her. Be her friend. Keep her in your life.”

I had to think, letting in a deep breath. “But…” I wanted to take her advice. “… I don’t want to just impose myself on her life again.”

“Do you want to be left thinking about what could be?” As Ma looked me in the eye, I knew. I knew she was right. Even if I didn’t realise it then, I could feel it.

“… Okay. I’ll go speak to her.”

My Ma smiled warmly before she continued playing on her trumpet. I picked up my lute, ready to start playing once again.

“… Tlazohcamati.” I made sure to thank her in her native tongue – our native tongue.

Ma smiled wide, gently ruffling the fluff on my head. “Ahmitla.”

---

27/9/1532

I did work up the nerve to speak with Maria, and as awkward as I was expecting things to be, she just… hugged me. Told me she was glad we could still be friends. We even began planning to pick back up on the song we were making. I thought that was that.

Until a few months later. I was running late to Maria’s home for practice. I came in just in time to hear Maria yelling out in anger.

Before I could even knock, the man Maria was with came rushing out, hair drenched with water.

Maria came out shortly after with an empty cup, and her voice letting out far less graceful screaming. “That’s right! Run off and meet with your traída!”

Even her father was speechless about just how intense she could be. She turned around to march inside, only to gasp at the sight of me. “Oh! Diego! How… How long were you standing there?”

“I just got here…”

She let out a sigh. “I’m sorry you had to see that. He…” She couldn’t find the words to use, letting out another, more frustrated sigh.

“I got the gist of it.”

Maria shook her head slowly. “I’m not in the mood to practice today.”

“That’s fine, I can come back another day.”

I didn’t know why at the time, but Maria grabbed my shoulder, pulling me towards her house. “I’d still like the company if you’re able.”

I wasn’t sure what the best response would be, but evidently my continued silence was affirmation enough for her as she brought me inside.

Her father was less eager about that. “What is he doing in here outside of practice?”

“Lay off of Diego.”

“…” he glares at me right in the eyes. It was enough to make my skin crawl. “Don’t try anything you’ll regret.”

“Padre!” Maria stood in front of me, as if to shield me from the verbal assault. “Diego’s been good to me! Better than any man you’ve approved of!”

“You know his type.” He didn’t raise his voice, even as he continued to glare past Maria at me. He wasn’t going to yell at his daughter under any circumstances.

I knew better than to defend myself, and so I just stood there quietly.

“You’re right, I do!” Maria yelled back. “You’re the one who can’t seem to figure it out!”

He let out a frustrated sigh. “Please, trust that-”

“I’ve trusted you my whole life, padre!” Maria yelled out. “Please, can you just trust me for once?!”

He closed his eyes, pinching his nose bridge as he slowly shook his head. Even he could tell he made a mistake with how he phrased it. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” With that he marched out of the room, grumbling under his breath to himself.

Maria let out a small sigh, kneeling down in front of me. “Diego. I know it’s not the best time, but…” She shook her head slowly. “I want to be with you.”

---

08/01/2009

“That’s so cute,” Mina said softly, eyes wide as she was listening. By this point she had forgotten it was about Diego’s immortality.

Diego let out a happy hum, closing his eyes. “It was. We got together, and things… went well. We had our hiccups, but slowly things changed. She went from being the prettiest woman I ever knew… to something more. It was only a few years until I knew that...”

---

16/04/1538

It was time. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Maria. I had gotten myself a special ring, and I was already on my way to her home.

But there was one thing I needed to do first.

My knock on the door was met by Maria’s father, who glared at me with vicious daggers. To say I got used to his disappointment is… an understatement. “What is it?”

“I needed to ask you something.” The door was slammed shut right in front of my face.

I knocked once again, the door swinging wide open. “Just hear me out. Please.”

I might have been used to it, but that didn’t change the fact that his glare was intimidating. “Make it quick.”

I dug into my pocket, peeking over to make sure Maria wasn’t listening. “I wanted to ask for your blessing for Maria’s hand in-”

SLAM!

Frankly, I was expecting that.

I knocked once more, and quickly dropped down onto my knees, wings fluttering behind myself.

When he swung the door open he was quick to anger. “You’re absolutely insane if you think I’ll ever-!” He stopped upon the sight of me.

“I swear on my life, I will treat Maria right, I will stay loyal to her, hasta que la muerte nos separe.” I lowered my head in front of him. “And if I ever break my oath, you can strike me where I stand. Please.”

The silence was suffocating. When I finally looked up, he continued to glare right at me, as if he was staring at my very soul. Just when I thought the worst was going to happen, he spoke.

“If you ever hurt my daughter, I will make sure you suffer a hundredfold in return. Are we crystal clear?”

“Yes, yes I understand!” I was already getting to my feet, wings fluttering in the sheer excitement. I’m going to propose to her. “Thank you so much, sir! I’m going to get ready right away!” With that my wings flutter some more, taking me off my feet and into the air. I had to get home, and quick!

---

17/04/1538

I knew exactly where to propose. It couldn’t be anywhere except the old, bent over tree – the same one we had our first kiss at. She was clueless as I brought her up there with me, eager to finish the date with a song I had written.

“Okay, okay, let’s hear what you’ve been working on.” Her giggle was sweet, perfectly matching the dress she had on as she sat down on the picnic blanket I laid out then and there for her.

Even though my voice wasn’t as perfect as hers, I knew it would be good enough for what I had. The lyrics were personal, for her ears and her ears alone. I played and played and played, but it was when I got to the last few lyrics did I start slowing down on my lute. I needed her to hear what I had to sing. One of my spare hands reached into my pocket, grabbing my special little gift in preparation.

“¡Oh María, nuestros corazones latiendo en sincronía!”

I then stop playing the lute entirely, holding out my hand for her. “¿Me harás el honor de casarte conmigo?” I opened up my hand to reveal the dazzling, sparkling ring, right in front of her eyes. The moment I proposed to her, I braced myself for both the best and the worst.

Fortunately, it took her no time to answer at all. “¡Sí, sí!” She immediately grabbed me and pulled me in for a close hug. She was already sobbing in joy as her grip against me was tighter than its ever been.

She was going to be my wife.

---

26/08/1538

We set it all up until it was perfect. Things went off without a hitch, and honestly? Even her father was happy to see her. She was beautiful, in an absolutely dazzling wedding dress. It was perfect.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

I bring Maria in close, giving her a kiss on the lips as our families celebrated. When I slowly broke the kiss, I smiled wide. “Every day, I wake up thinking about just how angelic you are…”

Maria smiled back. “You’ve always looked just as handsome as the day I met you…” She closed her eyes, letting out a pleased sigh. “… And just as young, now that I think about it.”

I was grinning. “It’s all because of you.”

---

21/08/1539

Today was the day me and Maria got to meet the first special light of our life. I was completely overwhelmed with joy at the sight of her, Maria holding her close to keep her warm.

“¡Tengo una hija...!” I dropped to my knees at the sight of her, tears welling up in my eyes. “I have a daughter…!”

To the world at large, she was an ordinary baby, nothing special at all about her birth. To me, it was one of the most important moments of my life.

It lasted for many years, but it didn’t take long until it started getting obvious that I wasn’t looking any different. Still, we counted our blessings, and I continued to enjoy my every day with Maria.

Until one day...”

---

28/11/1561

I remember getting shook away, very gently. I slowly opened my eyes in the darkness, looking over at my wife. “Mnngh…?”

“Diego…” Hearing Maria’s voice as hoarse and rough, I quickly lifted my head. “Diego, I don’t… I don’t feel good…”

I sat up, holding Maria close as I put my hand on the back of her head. “You’ve got a temperature. Lay down, let me-”

“No…” Maria croaked out. “I think I need a doctor...”

---

02/12/1561

Medicine wasn’t as good back then as it is now. But waiting for that doctor to speak to us was the most stressful wait I’ve ever had in my life, as Maria could do nothing but lean against me for support. And the news was more confusing.

“Maria, we haven’t figured out what you have just yet, but we’re working on it. However, we can confirm that Diego hasn’t caught anything.”

“Gracias a Dios,” Maria whispered out under her breath.

“In fact, Diego’s in unusually good health. You’re 49, yes?”

I nodded.

“As far as I can tell, everything about you seems to still be in your 20s. So much so, I’m not sure you’re even getting any older.”

“Alright, be serious with me.” Yeah I looked young, but this doctor was obviously full of it. How could he know for certain that I just wasn’t getting older?

“This could be a medical revolution. You need to come back for more tests, maybe we could help other people with this.”

“Enough about me, what about Maria?”

The doctor let out a sigh. “We’re going to look after her while we continue to work on what she’s got. We’ll let you know which room she’s in.”

“Gracias,” Maria managed to get out, smiling wide despite what was going on.

I just shook my head. “Right. Please, help her.”

“It’s okay, Diego,” she said with a warm smile. “You’re going to be able to hear my lovely voice-” her attempt at a joke was cut off with a fit of coughs, and I held onto her to make sure she wouldn’t fall over again.

A part of me knew Maria wasn’t going to get better. But I couldn’t accept that. I just couldn’t.

Even if I believed the doctor about me not getting older, that just slipped by my focus entirely with Maria by my side.

---

08/01/2009

“It would take some time before I realised what a blessing an immortal life would be. Long after Maria’s time.” Diego put the lute down, standing up. “But I’ll have time to share that another day. For now, I think it’s time we bring you back to your parents.”

There were complaints and grumblings from across the crowd, as various children were engrossed in the story.

Mina, however, just looked at Diego with utter curiosity. He and Maria sounded so sweet together, but how was he not still upset about Maria getting sick? It was so… so strange.

Mina continued to think to herself as she watched Diego pick up the butterfly girl. “Starting with you, my little Azulita~” He followed that up with a quick peck on the cheek.

“But you’re my dad!” Azulita giggled out, gently leaning against him.

“Then we already found him!” Diego chuckled back, holding Azulita quite close.

So Mina followed Diego, not taking long until she met back up with her mother – who picked her up in a hug. “Did you have a good time with Diego?”

“Yeah!” Mina said happily. “He told us about Maria!”

Mina’s mother nodded. “Maria?”

“Yeah! He married her and everything!”

She nodded in understanding, smiling wide. “Ah, I see!” Mina didn’t notice that her mom avoided asking any specific questions, she was just enamoured with the romantic story.

Diego took a seat as various families gathered around him, giving gifts that he modestly accepted. “From Mina, Maneul, and Camila Sánchez.” Mina’s antennae perked when she heard her name mentioned.

She watched as Diego unwrapped the gift, smiling wide as he picked up a lute from the present. “Gracias.” He didn’t say much on it, but he didn’t say much on any of the gifts – still acting modest despite it being his birthday.

The remaining few hours of the party were a good time, Mina had a good time eating dinner and playing with the other kids.

But all parties came to an end, and Mina was picked up by her mother as she leaned against her.

“Thank you so much for coming,” Diego said with a warm smile. “And for introducing me to your adorable little daughter.”

Mina let out a small giggle, smiling wide. “Bye bye, Diego!”

Diego smiled wide. “Adios, Mina.”

That was the last thing he said to her before her parents left with her, ready to drive back home.

---

It was late at night, and Diego was looking over his home, cleaning up in peace. Every bit of confetti, every plate with leftovers to clean up, every bit of silence was a reminder of all the people he got to meet up with today, some of whom he hasn’t gotten a chance to visit since last year.

It was in the midst of cleaning that he reached the lute Manuel and his family had gifted him. He gently strummed it with a relaxed sigh, all while he closed his eyes.

He knew he should continue focusing on cleaning up. But…

He started playing on it, thinking back to the oldest tune he knew. “Madre…”

The tune he grew up playing. “Padre…”

The tune he played with Maria all the time. “Mi querida María...”

Tears had begun flowing through his eyes. Yet, despite that, his smile remained the same as ever. “Bless your hearts, our time together was a precious gift.”

[eucanthos]

Anita Molinero   (FR, 1953)

_

Untitled, 2014. Assemblage 16 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 15 in. Courtesy Galerie Alain Gutharc

http://brycewolkowitz.com/h/exhibition_images.php?e=58

[bosguy]

Temptation Tuesday

This week's #TemptationTuesday pays tribute to the handsome dancers at the Boston Ballet, which coincidentally starts their 2023/24 season this Thursday.

[batterknowsbetter]

[elrincondelcinefilo]

𝕋𝕦 𝕥𝕒𝕞𝕓𝕚𝕖𝕟 𝕝𝕠 𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕒𝕤 (2023)

"Tú también lo harías" es una miniserie española de suspenso y crimen creada por David Victori y Jordi Vallejo, estrenada en Disney+ que se compone de ocho episodios de media hora.

El planteamiento de 'Tú también lo harías' es simple, pero por eso mismo está abierto a mil interpretaciones: Hay 3 muertos, 6 testigos y 2 fugitivos tras un intento de atraco en un autobús. Los muertos son los presuntos atracadores, los testigos afirman no haber visto la cara del asesino y los fugitivos están desaparecidos y se desconoce su identidad. El dúo de policías formado por Rebeca Quirós (Ana Polvorosa) y Fran Garza (Pablo Molinero), ex-pareja amorosa, tratará de exprimir a los testigos para intentar averiguar qué es lo que ocurrió en ese autobús. Pero, ¿qué es lo que ocurrió realmente en ese autobús?

La serie logra mantener al espectador en suspenso y atrapado con una narrativa sólida y bien estructurada. Las actuaciones de los personajes son destacables, en particular el desempeño de Ana Polvorosa como la detective, quien aporta tensión y profundidad a la investigación. La estructura de la trama mezcla flashbacks y perspectivas múltiples que desarrollan cada personaje de manera realista y ayudan a que el espectador cuestione sus propios valores y actitudes ante la justicia y la moral. Este formato da al público una perspectiva variada sobre el evento y fomenta la empatía y la reflexión sobre cada uno de los personajes.

Tú también lo harías logra construir una atmósfera tensa, pero en ciertos momentos se siente algo predecible y se apoya en ciertos clichés propios del género policial. Algunos subtramas parecen estar allí solo para alargar la historia, haciendo que algunos episodios pierdan intensidad. Sin embargo, su principal fortaleza está en la exploración de los dilemas morales que plantea y en la habilidad para retratar la complejidad de sus personajes, que son en su mayoría personas comunes atrapadas en una situación límite.

A nivel visual, la serie mantiene un tono sombrío y frío que ayuda a aumentar la tensión narrativa, aunque en momentos ciertos diálogos pueden sonar forzados. Si bien tiene elementos de un thriller clásico, aporta una originalidad notable en la forma de abordar la moralidad y la justicia, explorando el lado oscuro de las decisiones que la gente podría tomar cuando se ve en situaciones extremas.

En conjunto, Tú también lo harías es una serie intrigante que invita a reflexionar sobre hasta dónde llegaríamos para proteger lo que consideramos justo. Es recomendable para quienes disfrutan de series con temáticas morales y de suspenso, aunque podría tener más éxito entre los que valoran el desarrollo psicológico de personajes por encima de una acción desenfrenada.

Le ponemos tres estrellitas ⭐⭐⭐

[boomgers]

Hay una delgada línea entre testigo y cómplice… “Tú También Lo Harías”

La historia tiene como detonante un robo a mano armada en un autobús en las cercanías de Barcelona, que termina con la muerte de tres asaltantes. Antes de que sea demasiado tarde, una pareja de detectives y examantes debe descubrir la verdad detrás de los seis testimonios contradictorios ofrecidos por quienes presenciaron el hecho.

Estreno: 30 de octubre de 2024 en Apple TV+.

Creada y escrita por David Victori y Jordi Vallejo, la serie cuenta con las actuaciones de Ana Polvorosa, Pablo Molinero, Michelle Jenner, José Manuel Poga, Paco Tous, Elena Irureta, Pilar Bergés, Xavi Sáez, Viti Suárez, Mirela Balic, Javier Mula, Mabel del Pozo y Jorge Valder.

[jordi-gali]

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A bita Molinero

[movienized-com]

Tú también lo harías

Tú también lo harías (Serie 2023) #PabloMolinero #AnaPolvorosa #MichelleJenner #JoséManuelPoga #PacoTous #ElenaIrureta Mehr auf:

Serie Jahr: 2023 Genre: Krimi / Drama / Thriller Hauptrollen: Pablo Molinero, Ana Polvorosa, Michelle Jenner, José Manuel Poga, Paco Tous, Elena Irureta, Viti Suárez, Xavi Sáez, Pilar Bergés, Carlus Fàbrega, Sebastian Montecino, Mirela Balić, Ana Wagener, Chechu Salgado, Javier Mula, Jose Masegosa … Serienbeschreibung: Auf einer Buslinie, die den Flughafen mit mehreren Städten in der Nähe von…

[someotherdog]

al. am. ám. af. ak. afh.

[mamotretos]

lahija-del-molinero “Blue Morpho Butterfly” (1864) Martin Johnson Heade

[octuscle]

Hey Chronivac, on my way home today I drove past a fancy hotel and saw a super hot and hunky valet outside it. Is there a way that I could use this to become his equally hunky boyfriend or husband?

You are almost 70 years old… You have three failed marriages behind you, each of which has cost you a fortune. And now you come up with the idea of starting something with a valet? Don't take offense, but I do find it a bit strange. But anyway, I've seen worse.

You steer your Bentley convertible into the hotel driveway. Carlos is already walking towards you, eager to be of service. "Welcome, it's nice to have you back with us. May I ask you for the keys to this wonderful car?" You've never been here before… But what a sexy Spanish accent! You give him the key and a 10-dollar bill. And you have to swallow. You have a very dry throat.

With some difficulty and the help of your walking stick, you enter the lobby. You go to the concierge and ask to speak to the personnel manager. When asked who he might report, you reply "James Miller, it's about something private". While you wait in the lobby for an answer, you look in the mirror. Yes, there are already a few gray strands and a few wrinkles around your eyes. But for someone in their mid-50s, you don't look bad at all. Lots of exercise and a healthy diet, you think contentedly. The concierge asks you to take the elevator to the fourth floor.

You're already a little nervous. You haven't had a job interview for a long time. And at your early 40s, you're probably a bit too old to be a parking attendant. You clutch your application folder with white knuckles. But the secretary in the HR department smiles kindly at you, asks you to take a seat and offers you a drink of water. Out of sheer nervousness, you reply with "Gracias". She laughs and says that the conversation will be conducted in English. You laugh back. With your gleaming white teeth, you can iron out any embarrassment.

The door to the meeting room opens. The last applicant is a spotty beanpole. At least visually you have the best chance. The secretary invites you in. The personnel manager smiles at you, you shake his hand and smile back. "Well, Mr. Molinero, the first lesson today is that you don't shake my hand, I shake yours. You never shake hands with a guest unless they do it first. Do we understand each other? You swallow. Carlos wasn't exaggerating. This is a strict place. But it's also the best hotel in town. "Mr. Molinero, is Carlos your brother? You have the same surname." You reply that you are often mistaken for brothers. But you are actually married. "Delightful!" replies the personnel manager. And then you go through your CV.

The interview felt like it took three hours. In fact, it was just 20 minutes. The HR manager stands up and shakes your hand. He laughs as you shake his hand. "Good strong handshake. I like that. Welcome to the team. Rebecca will sort out all the formalities with you, Diego. And for the rest, I'll just rely on Carlos to introduce them well.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. And Carlos and you are often the first to give an impression of "your" hotel. You are professionals. You know your way around cars, are excellent drivers and know the local area like the back of your hand. Yes, the pay is really bad, but the tips are royal. Carlos actually once inherited the Bentley convertible of a guest he'd never seen before or since. Of course you didn't keep it. But you were able to use the proceeds from the sale to buy a beach house in your Mexican homeland.

And if things aren't going well enough, you can always work extra shifts as a waiter by the pool. Your suntan lotion massages are famous!

[batterknowsbetter]

[zurumba]

Antoine Molinero

[alisthepurrfect]

Hey!! Here is one Sketch made by myself of an "Eurasian Tree Sparrow" / Hola!! Aquí está un dibujo hecho por mi de un "Gorrión molinero".