Number 17 in 30 in 30, a series of writing challenges. Over the course of 30 days (sometimes even in a row!), I will draft a post within 30 minutes. This 30-day theme is: News Stories. Today’s writing was inspired by an article about a couple in Guatemala whose dance videos, in the wake of their daughter’s death, went viral.
Rhythm
rocks along the ankles
Hips
harmonize the heart
The body becomes
Music
Movement
Revolution
Oh.
30 in 30 is a series of writing challenges. Over the course of 30 days (perhaps even in a row!), I will draft a post within 30 minutes. This 30-day theme is: News Stories. Today’s writing was inspired by an article on how Peru is cremating the dead instead of burying them, as is custom.
I said goodbye
to my papaw
my last living grandparent
on Zoom
and a week later watched
his funeral
livestreamed
(the irony is not lost on me)
Ten mourners permitted
lost behind masks
Our shared emotions
stolen too
In other times
before times
after times
(ojalá)
we would gather together
and hold each other
in sorry
in memory
the rituals of death
our healing
In the now times
we have only
wounds
CJ René 