Читать книгу Saturday Comes - Carine J.D. Fabius - Страница 3

If Christians paid more attention in school they would remember about Saturday night. They would know that the Miraculous One goes by other names too, like Lord of Saturday, Father of the Dead, Spirit of Death; or, the one my Haitian children use: Baron Samedi. What’s that you say, baby? Yesss…Samedi is French for Saturday, the day He died. But the Christ’s valiant journey to the underworld to gather lost souls never gets much play; it’s his return on Easter Sunday to rise in glory from the dead that steals the show every time. Not surprising, really, since everyone makes such a fuss about life. Call me biased, but I’m into death.

I love it down here in the land of the dead, where it’s icy and dark, with no need to protect my sensitive eyes from all that light—although these shades do look sharp with my black suit and hat. And you’ve got to admit that my purple scarf hits just the right note! I let myself be lured up there, but I don’t like to stay too long. Sliding into a human body is no easy thing. My throat gets funny too. I hear them saying I’m nasal and that I speak so slowly…But, there are matters to deal with above ground—like encouraging humans to carry on feeding their obsession with sex.

No death without life, I like to say. ‘Round and ‘round it goes, from the grave to the stage and back again! You want my job, you better be an expert on getting down, baby, and, yesss, dying. Haitians love that delicious and dangerous combination. Mmm…That’s why I like hanging with them and will attend their ceremonies, but only IF properly plied with the right rum and cigars. And it is true that I love, love, love to dance. Watch this smooth move. Uh huh. You get my groove.

Love me, hate me, fear me—doesn’t matter. Just get used to me ’cause I’ll be dropping in from time to time to cast a shadow or two. I can’t help it. I have a stake in this story, as in all stories, which have to end in my cold but welcoming arms. Haitian people say that if a person does not merit death, I will reject it. I am not sure if I agree or disagree—about it being a question of merit. Why don’t you read on and judge for yourself?