Construction started, I kept reading. Behind a narrow road, walls were coming down. One by one they disappeared, moved to make space. Across my window, hammers swung and crashed. Their rhythm, white noise drilled in me. Constant companion, a sign of change that was to come. I kept reading. Nonetheless, I was warned. Others were coming. At the cafe they stood, faces slanted towards me. Glass in hand, speaking with backs turned. Unsolicited. Delivered with a smile, another warning. A vomited speech repeated. Implantation of nonexistent worry. I kept reading and didn’t listen. The others arrived. Speeches moved underground. Hidden in a layer of deceit and teeth. Pleasantries formed out of necessity. News came. I started reading. Truth in drops, intravenously administered. Dilated pupils caught the path. They couldn’t grasp reality. Blinded. Unwelcoming to change, a useless battle fought. Hurt settled in them, expelling hatred. Infection spread. I kept reading. Ears closed, unwillingly open. Pressing forward. A window left ajar. One of them. A girl and her cat. Behind the narrow road, anxieties faded. I talk. A friendly smile offered. Camões is next to her. I laugh. She’s too young to know. Next to me Bacchus purrs. A coincidence not lost on me. I keep reading.
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