Notes on Abuelo Colque
Photo: L*U*Z*A1.
IVE NEVER SEEN him in town. Ive never seen him anywhere solely upon foot to or from the fields. Either which or operative in his yard. He never stops working. He always has something in his hands or over his shoulder: the bushel of kale, the wheelbarrow loaded with carrots, the hose, the water pump, the shovel, the roll of bailing wire, the machete, the smoke-stack of fenceboards.
Even New Years, station with his sons celebration beer by the fire, it was like he was usually waiting to repair something, to tie up the dogs if they kept chasing firecrackers, to turn one some-more loop of handle around the broken list leg.
2.
Since weve changed here eight months ago the fields have been divided up for future neighborhoods. Two roads have been cut. A windbreak of 100 foot-tall poplars was chainsawed. (When they initial proposed falling, everyone came out of their houses to watch, afterwards after it usually became partial of the noise as well as activity in the barrio). Somebody from Buenos Aires proposed office building the initial apartment complex. Six of Abuelos grandkids as well as two of his kids changed out of the house, as well as so he portioned off which side, gave it the own entrance, as well as proposed renting it out to the lady who always sweeps her concrete stoop wearing sweatpants as well as who has taken in the stray dog with 3 puppies which keep escaping by the bottom of the fence as well as great for food at our door.
3.
Today we saw him for the initial time upon foot behind from town. we saw him from the long ways off. we commend his walk. Hes super thin, super small, yet seems very strong as well as walks with this super straight back. He had upon hemmed bluejeans. He wasnt wearing his sand boots.! He had upon the light cloak which Id never seen before. He had his palm in his cloak as if warming it. As we got closer yet we thought we saw the bit of white bandage around the palm which was in his coat. we thought: Hes usually come behind from the hospital. Thats the usually time he goes into town. Damn, what happened to his hand?
But as if we indispensable to cover up what we was thinking, we usually pronounced Que tal? as well as afterwards quickly added, Pretty cold isnt it?
Pretty cold, he said. Bastante frio.
But it wasnt which cold really. It had actually warmed up as well as seemed like it was starting to start raining again.
I never unequivocally know what to say to Abuelo Colque.
But we make use of usted when we talk to him.
_________________________
El Bolsn, Patagonia, Argentina
Community Connection
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