El primer llanto

The woman's screams were heard through the whole town. At home, everything was ready: the sheets on the floor and the healing herbs. The acid smell of the breeze mixed with the sweet smell of the incense, invading every corner. The sunlight came in through the window and filled the space with a warm orange color. The mother's screams got louder, she understood that this intense pain neared her to that momento of peace and joy she'd been waiting for during many months. After a few minutes, the battle was over: mother and daughter--flower and fruit--had defeated the underworld. The newborn's cry blended together with the singing of those who were present, while the blood was moved in the water. Grandma ixchel was in charge of separating us. They took my umbilical cord to the milpa and burried it near some seeds, mom hugged me tight and we cried together.