THE BORDER IS BURNING by ITO ROMO

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 Reading by Eric Abalajon

The Border is Burning by Ito Romo

(University of New Mexico Press, 2013)

 


Loved how Sandra Cisneros’ blurb links Romo to Carver but argues his ‘true lineage’ is from Juan Rulfo. Title sort of gives it away. Imagine if the characters trying to flee the desert northwards actually crosses the border. Gritty details standing in for making do amid disenchantment. Keep thinking of Hemingway’s ‘Cat in the Rain’ with Romo’s ‘El Gato’

“Cat tamales. It's all she could think of. She thought she'd never eat again. Then the cat hair, the fucking cat hair on his underwear. She cried because she was so angry, lost, alone. Door open, head close to the ground so as not to splash inside her car, she felt dazed. The sun was no help either.

She talked to herself, "You really need to get your shit together." Pulled herself back up into the car. Fumbled through the glove compartment for some wipes. Wiped herself clean. Got back on the road.

She stared directly ahead of her, started counting the white stripes. Messed up on thirty-nine. Stopped counting. Felt lost for a moment. Stared at the mirage way up there. Almost started counting again. Then for a bit she thought she was on the highway to Monterrey, Mexico. She was flustered. Mad. Had to shake her head violently to change the scenery in front of her to what it really was, the highway between Laredo and San Antonio, not Mexico. Cat tamales.

Someone in a car in the other lane honked at her, woke her from her reverie. She'd been veering.”

 

 

__________

Eric Abalajon is currently a lecturer at the University of the Philippines Visayas, Iloilo. His translations have appeared in Asymptote, Modern Poetry in Translation, Four Way Review, Mercury Firs, and Exchanges: Journal of Literary Translation. His debut poetry collection is forthcoming from Flowersong Press. He lives near Iloilo City, Philippines.

 



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