Super quake, Saint Tremor, King Tremor,
Great Earthfreak. Riftmaker.
Great splitter, terror of the Cuauhtémoc
Earthly indigestion, urban rattle.
Thirty years ago, in Eighty-five,
From Acapulco to the District
We felt your fury, O King of the Quakes.
Today along the city streets
Between car and tortilla fumes,
The rumour spreads in hushed voices.
Science and stars equally foretell
Of stone and steel a great storm.
Your return is near.
King Quake, King Quake.
Go down the streets, ring the alarms,
Watch the needles: eight-point-six!
King Quake, King Quake.
Unruly City grotesque to the brim
Overthrow who you wish, enforce your law.
Many of us City dwellers live contentedly
In Juárez, Cuauhtémoc, and downtown,
But we know, we know.
Rattle, rattle, King Quake.
Rumour has it of your return to the City.
So feared and real is your law,
As an ancient deity.
Let the earth’s foundations tremble
At the loud roar of the Quake.
Poem by Andrés Rozada.
Two years ago today we lost our beloved son-in-law Andrés Rozada. A bright architect, he was a young man of many talents. He wrote. Short stories, a few poems as the one above. A mix of genres. Fantasy was one. One story, “El miniaturista”, reminds me of Borges. Yes, Borges! Our daughter Virginie has worked on those texts, compiled them, edited them and a book has just been published.
“Stories of a plumber”. An architect, Andrés called himself a “plumber”. Here is the translation of the text on the front page:
“Last-minute deviations. Lost calls on the phone. No change at the 7-Eleven, closed streets, no coriander at the main taco joint… Life is full of small set-backs.” Andrés Rozada Diego Fernández.
If anyone wants to read the original Spanish text of the poem, called “Sismo Rey”, pray say so, I’ll post it in comments.
The book will be presented tonight at the Bucardón, on Donato Guerra 1, Historical centre, Mexico city. There will be a crowd of friends and family. There will be beer and tears and laughter and beer and laughter. If you’re in Mexico, feel free to drop by. If you can’t make it, your visit here is greatly appreciated.
Illustrations (c) Ivan Zaragoza.
Equinoxio 
The book is wonderful. Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks to you Coeur de feu, for the visit and comment. Wish us luck. Those sad anniversaries are a bit of a trial. So many emotions. 🙂
❤
I am wishing you the very best and sending my best thoughts your way Brian! The book is lovely! ❤
Thank you Coeur de Feu. 🙂 Best thoughts well received. The presentation was a success. Lots of people came. The book was very well received. And almost no-one cried. 🙂
❤
I’m so happy to hear it went well. ♥️
Thank you Holly for your thoughts.
Means a lot to me.
>3
I was thinking about you and hoping all would be good!
Well, your thoughts reached out across the Gulf of Mexico and the evening went very well. Big crowd. Good beer. Good people. The book was a success. We were all very pleased.
Wonderful, I’m so glad Brian.
🙂
Congratulations with the book, you all. It’s a great way of honouring someone who left words behind. I wish you a lot of laughter, tears and beer tonight at the presentation. Peter.
Thank you Peter. The evening was a great success. We are pleased.
I am glad to hear that there was an opportunity to create a loving, meaningful tribute to your son-in-law Andrés. I am also glad there will be an event to present the book. Humans do well with ceremonies to recognize, remember, share with each other, and say goodbye. And of course, to drink beer.
Thank you Crystal. There was a lot of emotion of course, but mostly it was a joyful event. Maybe Mexicans are better than other cultures at facing Death? There was a lot of beer and tequila consumed indeed. Many books sold. A few tears shed. Rounds of applause. A good evening. 🙂
❤
Earthly indigestion I love that, auspicious.
A very powerful text for those of us who live in Mexico. the ’85 quake was a killer. The one in ’17 was quite strong too.
Frightening.
Yet, one goes on.
We must, can’t stand still
Deux ans déjà. But some pain doesn’t diminish no matter how much time passes. Much love to you and your family, Brian. The book is a magnificent tribute.
Merci Julie. Hopefully Time… smoothes rough edges. 🙂 And the book came out very nice. A bientôt.
Oh what a lovely tribute, this book. Life ending abruptly is so hard to understand. Good luck and I send you all many warm hugs.
Thank you for the hugs. Yes, impossible to understand. 🙂
But the evening went well. The book was well received. Lots of emotion, laughter and beer. Only a few tears… 🙂
That’s good
What a wonderful way to keep his memory alive! A happy/sad occasion … wish your daughter the best of luck with the book for me! Had I been near Mexico City at the time, I would have dropped in to share a cerveza!
Thank you Jill for your kind words. It would have been nice to see you. 🙂
Cheers.
I will check Andrés Rozada’s book 🤓 such a beautiful legacy…one of many I’m sure Brian 💙 sending you and your loved ones all good things ☺️💫 peace and joy 💓 Hedy
Thank you Hedy. The book is not quite in the market yet. I guess the next step is Amazon. But if you give me your address, I’ll try to send it to you. (Use my e-mail, it’s on my Gravatar) ❤
Two years already? I am still very sorry for your loss. Take care and hugs to your daughter. I hope she has found some comfort in this project.
Thank you Jenny. The answer is: yes, I think she has. It was a daunting project. Difficult on many levels. We helped a bit in the editing. But the book is her success. It is very moving to have it in one’s hands.
Hugs back.
I imagine so. Kudos to her for taking it on. And I’ll bet his family is grateful too.
Of course. They went off with a load of books. 🙂 Sweet.
That is a powerful legacy.
Yes it is. His writings on the city of Mexico are so strong, you wouldn’t believe it. Thanks for your visit and comment my friend. I hope you are recovering well?
Thanks for enquiry. Pretty well, but annoyingly tired.
It’s probably to be expected. Hang on. It should ease away. 🙂
The work is majestic. So sorry for your loss.
Thank you Libre. Not sure one ever recovers… 🙂 Hopefully yes. In the meantime, the publication of Andrés’ major works is a great achievement. I had to translate “Sismo Rey” to English for that post. Glad you liked it.
It’s difficult to think it was two years ago already Brian. A few days late, but I wish you and the family all the best on such a sombre anniversary.
Thank you Paul. The thing is that through sheer willpower, our daughter has managed to turn this event into a fantastic celebration. The book is out, and it is a great book. Eases the pain.
Again thank you for your kind words.
Congratulations to Virginie for working through and finishing the book. Love the poem.
The book came out very nice. Hard cover and all. They hardly bind in hard cover any more. And the poem is very powerful. Particularly in Mexico city which has terrifying earthquakes. (I knew I had to translate this particular text to English for you guys. Glad you liked it Robin.
thanks for sharing!
🙂