Tag: coronavirus

Love in the Time of Corona (V)

In the midst of her stormiest years, Marisela Armijo had followed a set routine and achieved a respectability and prestige as the only remaining and living full-time grocery store manager in the pueblo. She woke at almost noon, when she began to take her secret medicines: green crack to raise her spirits, blue dream for the ache in her bottom when she spent too long seated, drops of CBD oil for anxiety, edibles to erase the nightmares when she slept. She took something every hour, always in secret, because in her long life as a good Catholic hija, she was always taught to oppose the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes: it was easier for her to pretend she believed this than be disowned by her family. In her pocket he always carried a little sneak-a-toke filled with blue diesel that she inhaled deeply when no one was watching to calm her fear of so many strains mixed together.

by Mt.Angel

Love in the Time of Corona (IV)

She ordered him to tell the news stations that the young bagger had died of natural causes, although she figured the news would in no way interest them. She said: “Si es necessario, I will speak to the mayor.” The inspector, an underappreciated and burnt out civil servant himself, knew that Marisela’s sense of civic duty was greater than she ever let on, and he was incredulous at the ease with which she grazed over legal formalities in order to speed up the burial. The only thing he was not willing to do was speak to the pueblo’s Popé so that Maria Chavez could be buried on holy ground. The inspector, taken back by his stubbornness, attempted to make excuses.

“I understood this girl was a santa,” he said.

“Santa?” said Marisela. “An atheistic saint, maybe. But those are matters for Dios to decide.”

by Mt.Angel

Love in the Time of Corona (II)

A forensic inspector came forward with a young medical student who was completing his field placement at the remote distance university, and it was they who disinfected the room and sanitized the body while waiting for Marisela to arrive. They greeted her with a familiarity that on this occasion had more veneration than usual, for they both were aware of the degree of her friendship with the deceased. The juvenile store clerk raised her chin at the two of them, as was the customary greeting in this time of social distancing, and then, as if it were a a box of grocery shipments, she grasped the edge of the sheet with her entire fist, and brusquely uncovered the body with unceremonious casualty.

by Mt.Angel

Coronao, 3-28-20

The storm is here, but it intensifies in intervals. Crashing as do waves, increasing in strength, naturally waxing and waning as does the tide. There has been a period of ebb for several days. We know the next wave is coming, but we do not know when, or what destruction it will bring. The undulating breeze seems to indicate the next wave will be upon us sooner than we think, and when it ultimately breaks, it will take with it much of what we have known, cherished, and held dear.

by Mt.Angel

Coronao, 3-26-20

Over 83,000 cases have now been reported in the US, surpassing China and becoming the country with the most cases in the world. In New York, I hear they are experiencing the beginnings of duress caused by mass hospitalization. Here in New Mexico, we have had only one death. We have not yet felt the full impact of this pandemic, but I have no doubt that we will.

It will come in waves.

by Mt.Angel