Garcia Marquez, knowing it takes so
long, allows the young lovers to survive
apart. Fermina -- existing with no
power, like all women under law -- lives
for security and wealth. The doctor
marries her. Treats the hoards of sunken eyes,
faces of blue flesh like withered dolls. For
decades he and she work at love. He tries
to climb the mango tree, falls to his death.
Florentino rises from years of trysts,
finds her. Older love grows with every breath,
past passion’s memory they can’t resist.
I long to talk to you of this: how we
survive somehow beyond all this disease.
Roger Armbrust
October 12, 2016
