The Town of Babylon

by Alejandro Varela

How it might deplete one’s resolve. How for one person to succeed, many would have to fail. How this was a country that practiced a religion of lofty expectations and unattainable goals. How dreams were just that, dreams.

amor de lejos es amor de pendejos. Long-distance love is for idiots.

Over the course of a few weekends, we filled up our backpacks with Olde English forties and clanked our way to wherever everyone was gathered.

There was no drug more potent than being liked by everyone.

The healthiest humans have strong bonds within their societies, as well as agency over their destinies.

Life had gotten in the way of truth.