Anteparadise, A Bilingual edition

Alla lejos

ALLA LEJOS 46 FARAWAY 47 48 IeII Se hacfa tarde ya cuando tomandome un hombro me orden6: "Anda y matame a tu hijo" Vamos-Ie repuse sonriendo-~me estas tomando el pelo acaso? "Bueno, si no quieres hacerlo es asunto tuyo, pero recuerda quien soy, as! que despues no te quejes" Conforme-me escuche contestarle-~y d6nde quieres que cometa ese asesinato? Entonces, como si fuera el aullido del viento quien hablase, El dijo: "Lejos, en esas perdidas cordilleras de Chile" CI It was already getting late when he took me by the shoulder and commanded me: "Go and kill your son for me" "Come on," I replied smiling, "are you by any chance pulling my leg?" "Well, ifyou don't want to do it that's your business, but remember who I am, and don't complain afterwards" "Okay," I heard myself answer him, "and where do you want me to commit that assassination?" Then, as though it were the howling wind that spoke, He said: "Far away, in the remote cordilleras of Chile" 49 50 ICIII Con Ia eara ensangrentada llame a su puerta: Podria ayudarme-Ie dije-tengo unos amigos afuera "Marehate de aquf-me eontest6--antes de que te eehe a patadas" Vamos-Ie observe-usted sabe que tambien reehazaron a Jesus. "Tu no eres EI-me respondi6--andate 0 te rompo Ia crisma. Yo no soy tu padre" Por favor-Ie insistf-Ios tipos que estan afuera son hijos suyos ... "De aeuerdo-contest6 suavizandose-llevalos a la tierra prometida" Bien: ~pero d6nde queda ese sitio?-pregunteEntonees , eomo si fuera una estrella la que 10 dijese, me respondi6: "Lejos, en esas perdidas cordilleras de Chile" CIl With my face bloodied I knocked on his door: "You could help me," I said, "I've got some friends outside" "Get out of here," he answered, "before I kick you out" "Come on," I rejoined, "you know that they deniedJesus too. " "You are not He," he replied, "get out or I'll bust your face in. I'm not your father" "Please," I insisted, "the guys outside are your children . . ." "So they are," he answered more gently, "take them to the promised land" "Fine: but where is that place?" I asked Then, as though it were a star that spoke, he replied: "Far away, in the remote cordilleras of Chile" 51 52 /CIIII Despertado de pronto en suenos 10 of tras la noche "Oye Zurita-me dijo-toma a tu mujer y a tu hijo y te largas de inmediato" No macanees-Ie repuse-dejame dormir en paz, sonaba con unas montanas que marchan ... "Olvida esas estupideces y apurate-me urgi6no vas a creer que tienes todo el tiempo del mundo. EI Duce se esta acercando" Escuchame-conteste-recuerda que hace mucho ya que me tienes a la sombra, no intentaras repetirme el cuento. Yo no soy Jose. "Sigue la carretera y no discutas. Muy pronto sabras la verdad" Esta bien-Ie replique casi llorando-(y d6nde podra ella alumbrar tranquila? Entonces, como si fuera la misma Cruz la que se iluminase, EI contest6: "Lejos, en esas perdidas cordilleras de Chile" CIII A wakened suddenly from my dreams I heard him behind the night "Hey Zurita," he said, "take your wife and kid and get out of here fast" "Dan't hand me that line," I replied, "let me sleep in peace-I was dreaming about some marching mountains . . ." "Forget that nonsense and hurry it up," he insisted, "don't think you've got all the time in the world. The Duce's approaching" "Listen," I answered, "remember that you've kept me in the dark for a long time, you're not going to try to repeat that story on me. I'm not Joseph." "Hit the road and don't argue. Soon enough you'll know the truth" "Fine," I replied on the verge of tears, "and where will it kindle tranquilly?" Then, as though it were the Cross itself that shone, He answered: "Far away, in the remote cordilleras of Chile" 53 ...