It

When it showed up in the city, some people were surprised.
Some laughed out loud.
Some shook with fear.
And some thought it was delicious.
And some pulled their hair.
And some set off fireworks.
And some were biting their tongues, losing their sleep, screaming hoorays, gnawing their nails, clapping, fleeing in horror, and some people were very very very happy.
Some were sure that it could not be in any possible way.
Others were also sure. They said: – Hooray! How nice! At last!
Many were worried. They requested that it be prohibited. They assured that it was impossible. That it was wrong. That it could be very dangerous.
Others, serene, celebrated, laughed, commemorated, and embraced as they ran out into the streets, singing and dancing in perfect happiness.
Some, rebellious, decided to chase it. They said it was not worth a thing. They said it was necessary to eliminate it no matter what, or at least catch it and send it as far away as possible.
Many protected and praised it. They swore it was good. That it would be better for all. That they had been waiting long for it. That it was important, beautiful and precious.
Someone decided to end it at all costs.
But someone else said, no! and ran to slowly hide it at the bottom of the heart.

Dear reader: it can be many things. If you feel like it, grab a pencil and a sheet of paper, and write about it: state, in your opinion and in your heart, what it is, how it is, what it does, where did it come from, where is it going to, and, all things considered, what is the meaning of it. If you want, you can also sketch it.

(from the book Se eu fosse aquilo [If I Were It], Ática, 2002)

Translated by Leda Beck