Art Explained by a Writer: Look How Lovely She Was!
Have you heard the news? That woman’s finally dead. She was a real pain in the neck. That man deserved better. She was such a weakling. Her parents must have struck a deal to get rid of that useless girl.
Anyway, speak no ill of the dead. You know what they say. If the dead get restless, they’ll come after you. Karma’s a bitch.
Oh, come on, do you believe in that superstition? That useless girl never bore a single child. Just another year and the widower’s mine.
‘Wait a moment,’ gestured Julio, who had climbed onto his friend’s shoulders to peer through the window. Neither of the friends had ever seen a dead body before. They had heard the news and the wailing, and seen a procession of people entering the house. The pregnant maid had refused them entry when they tried to sneak in. She was just as quick as ever and had grabbed both rascals by the collar and thrown them out onto the street.
Respect for the dead and the mourners, she had snapped at them, this is no place for children and their pranks. And, said Pedro, whose shoulders were aching from Julio, let me have a look now.
Pedro stared at the scene in utter amazement. He couldn’t make head nor tail of it. The boys stood with their hats in their hands, staring at the woman in the coffin. The malicious remarks he’d heard them make had apparently been forgotten. The women were also shedding crocodile tears, even though they were certainly no friends. Of that he was quite sure.
And then there was the widower. He’d often seen him having a good time with other women. Why was he now sobbing as if he’d lost the love of his life?
“Well,” whispered Julio.
Pedro said nothing, but simply thought: “Look at her, how beautiful she was; even in death she looks more alive and at peace than the rest. How jealous I am of her.”
Painter: Julio Romero Torres
Painting: Look How Lovely She Was!
5-6-2026
The contest Art & Writing is hosted by @solperez. This is #190!
Los velorios son muy interesantes, porque cada asistente da una versión de los hechos y se habla sobre lo buena que era la muerta. Pero, en este caso, hablaban de la debilidad que tenía como mujer. Y lo más interesante del cuento es que ya las mujeres les tenían el ojo puesto al viudo, que de seguro rápido encontrará reemplazo para su esposa, quizás sin que se complete el novenario, jeje. Me encantó este texto.
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I’m not sure if the mourning period lasts that long anymore; I don’t think so, and in the past people didn’t remarry until they’d been a widower or widow for a year. Many women preferred to remain single. My grandmothers were a good example of that. They were wealthier and happier. These days, it probably doesn’t matter all that much; it depends entirely on where you live and how much gossip there is in the village.
Grieving is rarely what it looks like.
Certainly, in the past, couples' grieving periods lasted until the survivor passed away. But nowadays, a replacement is quickly sought for the deceased, because life must be lived. Therefore, wasting time could mean wasting precious minutes of existence, although, come to think of it, being alone and seeking affection only when desired isn't such a bad option, but without the responsibilities and nagging of relationships, hehe.