cuentos de barro - DSpace Universidad Don Bosco

el eNTIerro
Cumbreaba la tarde, cuando de las
últimas casas salía el entierro de ño
Justo. Todos iban achorcholados y
silencios. Una nube corrediza había
regado el camino, perfumándolo,
esponjándolo, refrescándolo. Se
mezclaba el olor del suelo, con el tufito
de las candelas que llevaban las viejas.
El renco Higinio caminaba delante del
cajón. A cada paso parecía que iba a
arrodillarse; daba la impresión de llevar
meciendo un incensario.
Todos iban achorcholados; el arrastre de
los caites cepillaba los credos, que salían
como de un cántaro a medio llenar.
“Chorchíngalo171 ” llevaba el racimo de
sombreros; cargaban Atanasio, Catino,
don Juan y don Daví.
Cumbreaba la tarde, chispeando en
lo ricién mojado. Los cerros barbudos
se ahogaban en la sombra, sacando
apenas las narices para respirar. La brisa
mecía las frondas, que asperjeaban el
cajón como un hisopo. A lo lejos, lejos,
lejos, allá por las Honduras, llovía ceniza
caliente.
89
THe BurIal
The afternoon was fading away as
people were leaving the last houses
for the funeral of Señor Justo.
Everyone walked somberly, in silence.
A cloud sliding by had watered the
road, making it fragrant and spongy,
refreshing it. The scent of the ground
was mixed with the foul smell 170 of the
candles that the old women carried.
Higinio, who was lame, hobbled ahead
of the coffin. At every step, he swayed
as if he was going to kneel, giving the
impression of swinging a censer. All
walked downhearted.
The sound of their rustic caite sandals
being dragged brushed against the
chanting creeds coming out of their
throats that echoed like the wind
passing over a half-empty jug. A
man nicknamed Lizard 172 carried the
sombreros of Anastasio, Catino, Señor
Juan and Señor Daví as they carried the
coffin on their shoulders.
The afternoon was fading away as the
raindrops sparkled over the recently
wet ground. The bearded hills were
drowning in the shadows, barely
sticking out their noses to breathe. The
breeze swayed the fronds that caressed
the coffin like a cotton swab. Far away,
towards Honduras, it was raining hot
ashes.
170. Possibly “foul” because they were made ouf of animal’s fat.
171. Tenguereche, cherenqueque. Mini lagarto muy flacucho.
172. Or more faithfully “Chorchíngalo” is a very skinny lizard called “basilisk lizard.” Also called the “Jesus
Christ Lizard” because it can run over water.