Fruit of the Drunken Tree

by Ingrid Rojas Contreras

her eyes were the well of her power and her small feet the mark of her innocence.

But it wasn’t just happiness, just reality catching up to my happiness.

We shall eat more and we shall eat less. When at dinner you have fire, for breakfast you’ll have water. What is left for time, time will take away. It is only death that doesn’t have a remedy.

Abuela taught Mamá that some things are written in the stars, but others are up to chance.

“Listen to me, preciosa, break many hearts and never marry. Remember that.”

“When a boy is interested, always make sure you are the one to remain in power. Men will want to take power from you—that’s who they are—but don’t allow it—that’s who you are.”

“When you are in love, you are in lust. And if you are in lust, satisfy yourself, then walk away. Never do anything for his sake, not until you are sure he is committed. Then and only then can you be nice to him—but, be careful. Don’t give yourself entirely. Never owe anybody anything, least of all the man you are with. That’s how you’ll remain in power.”

Time was, I agreed, a space full of agreeable and disagreeable surprises.

Multiply me when necessary, make me disappear when warranted. Transform me into light when there is shadow, into a star when in the desert.

Sometimes the less you know the more you live.