Tight Squeeze / Jorge Luis Borges: La trama (The Plot)

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An Indian man enters a train through an emergency window in Hyderabad, India. Railway platforms and trains were overcrowded with many people travelling to their hometowns to celebrate the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti.: photo by Mahesh Kumar/AP, 12 January 2017

An Indian man enters a train through an emergency window in Hyderabad, India. Railway platforms and trains were overcrowded with many people travelling to their hometowns to celebrate the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti.: photo by Mahesh Kumar/AP, 12 January 2017

 

Thousands of Hindu pilgrims are expected to take the annual holy dip Jan 14 at Gangasagar, where the Ganges River reaches the Bay of Bengal: image via AP Images @AP_Images, 12 January 2017

   

 

Thousands of Hindu pilgrims are expected to take the annual holy dip Jan 14 at Gangasagar, where the Ganges River reaches the Bay of Bengal: image via AP Images @AP_Images, 12 January 2017

 

 

Thousands of Hindu pilgrims are expected to take the annual holy dip Jan 14 at Gangasagar, where the Ganges River reaches the Bay of Bengal: image via AP Images @AP_Images, 12 January 2017

 

Commuters sit next to a tube sign reading ‘Webminster’ after Amazon rebranded Westminster tube station as a marketing stunt in central London today: photo by Stefan Wermuth/Reuters, 12 January 201



Commuters sit next to a tube sign reading ‘Webminster’ after Amazon rebranded Westminster tube station as a marketing stunt in central London today: photo by Stefan Wermuth/Reuters, 12 January 2017

Jorge Luis Borges: La trama / The Plot

 

Peugeot's driver Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena, both of France, compete during stage 8 of the Dakar Rally between Uyuni, Bolivia and Salta, Argentina, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.: photo by Franck Fife/Pool via AP, 10 January 2017

La trama

Para que su horror sea perfecto, César, acosado al pie de la estatua por los impacientes puñales de sus amigos, descubre entre las caras y los aceros la de Marco Bruto, su protegido, acaso su hijo, y ya no se defiende y exclama: ¡Tú también, hijo mío! Shakespeare y Quevedo recogen el patético grito.

Al destino le agradan las repeticiones, las variantes, las simetrías; diecinueve siglos después, en el sur de la provincia de Buenos Aires, un gaucho es agredido por otros gauchos y, al caer, reconoce a un ahijado suyo y le dice con mansa reconvención y lenta sorpresa (estas palabras hay que oírlas, no leerlas): ¡Pero, che! Lo matan y no sabe que muere para que se repita una escena.

The Plot

To make his horror complete, Caesar, pressed to the foot of a statue by the impatient daggers of his friends, discovers among the blades and faces the face of Marcus Junius Brutus, his protege, perhaps his son, and ceasing to defend himself he exclaims: “You too, my son!” Shakespeare and Quevedo revive the pathetic cry.

Destiny takes pleasure in repetition, variants, symmetries: nineteen centuries later, in the south of the Province of Buenos Aires, a gaucho is attacked by other gauchos. As he falls he recognizes an adopted son of his and says to him with gentle reproof and slow surprise (these words must be heard, not read), “Pero che!” He is being killed, and he does not know he is dying so that a scene may be repeated.

Jorge Luis Borges: La trama / The Plot, from El hacedor / The Maker, 1960; English version by Mildred Boyer

A municipal worker washes a ceramic reproduction of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, in the Basque town of Guernica, northern Spain. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the mural, painted in 1937 following the aerial bombing of the town by German and Italian aviation allied to Nationalist forces led by General Franco.: photo by Vincent West/Reuters, 12 January 2017 



A municipal worker washes a ceramic reproduction of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, in the Basque town of Guernica, northern Spain. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the mural, painted in 1937 following the aerial bombing of the town by German and Italian aviation allied to Nationalist forces led by General Franco.: photo by Vincent West/Reuters, 12 January 2017

A keeper measures a hippopotamus in Hannover zoo: photo by Julian Stratenschulte/AFP, 12 January 2017



A keeper measures a hippopotamus in Hannover zoo: photo by Julian Stratenschulte/AFP, 12 January 2017

 
U.S. Army soldiers are welcomed in Zagan, Poland, on Thursday: photo by Czarek Sokolowski/AP, 12 January 2017

U.S. Army soldiers are welcomed in Zagan, Poland, on Thursday: photo by Czarek Sokolowski/AP, 12 January 2017

SYRIA - Smoke billows from a rebel-held area of Daraa following reported shelling by pro-government forces during sunset. By @AbazidMohamad: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 12 January 2017 

IRAQ - Members of Iraqi Rapid Response Division rest on a street in Mosul's Yarimjah neighbourhood during operation against IS. By @dilkoff: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 12 January 2017

US - A woman with the word "No!" painted on her face protests outside Trump Tower in New York City. By Dominick Reuter #AFP: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 12 January 2017 

Visual metaphor of the day. Lights out during #CIA confirmation hearing. Discussing #Russia #Transparency riff too! Photo @smahaskey @politico: image via Reading the Pictures @ReadingThePix, 12 January 2017 

2nd #visual metaphor of the day. @andrewlamberson #ConEd #themaninthetower: image via Reading the Pictures @ReadingThePix, 12 January 2017 

 
Some say #Trump presser docs fake. What u get keeping journos from seeing even 1 (and Trump/lawyer share same diction!) Photo @Rex/AP: image via Reading the Pictures @ReadingThePix, 12 January 2017

 
Some say #Trump presser docs fake. What u get keeping journos from seeing even 1 (and Trump/lawyer share same diction!) Photo @Reuters: image via Reading the Pictures @ReadingThePix, 12 January 2017 

Some say #Trump presser docs fake. What u get keeping journos from seeing even 1 (and Trump/lawyer share same diction!) Photo @NPR: image via Reading the Pictures @ReadingThePix, 12 January 2017 

 
MACEDONIA - A man walks across the frozen surface of the Dojran Lake, 180 kilometers southeast of Skopje. By @RAtanasovski #AFP: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 12 January 2017


Macedonia - This photo, taken on January 11, shows a boat stuck in ice in the Dojran Lake. Photo  @RAtanasovski: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 12 January 2017

Serbia - Migrants stand in line for food distribution and eat outside a makeshift shelter in Belgrade on January 11. Photo @iandrej: image via Aurelia BAILLY @AureliaBAILLY, 12 January 2016

Serbia - Migrants stand in line for food distribution and eat outside a makeshift shelter in Belgrade on January 11. Photo @iandrej: image via Aurelia BAILLY @AureliaBAILLY, 12 January 2016

Serbia - Migrants stand in line for food distribution and eat outside a makeshift shelter in Belgrade on January 11. Photo @iandrej: image via Aurelia BAILLY @AureliaBAILLY, 12 January 2016

Serbia - Migrants stand in line for food distribution and eat outside a makeshift shelter in Belgrade on January 11. Photo @iandrej: image via Aurelia BAILLY @AureliaBAILLY, 12 January 2016
 

Migrants struggling with winter in Belgrade #serbia #migrants @AFPphoto: Image via Andrej Isakovic @iandrej, 10 January 2017

 

 

Migrants struggling with winter in Belgrade #serbia #migrants @AFPphoto: Image via Andrej Isakovic @iandrej, 10 January 2017

Migrants struggling with winter in Belgrade #serbia #migrants @AFPphoto: Image via Andrej Isakovic @iandrej, 10 January 2017

Migrants struggling with winter in Belgrade #serbia #migrants @AFPphoto: Image via Andrej Isakovic @iandrej, 10 January 2017

 Incredible photo by @moutafis77 of a man washing yesterday outside a warehouse in Belgrade where migrants are sheltering: image via Zoe Gardner @ZoeJardiniere, 11 January 2017

No cold for the brave, #belgrade #migrants #refugees: image via Marko Drobnjakovic @xmd101, 9 January 2017  

Trains don't arrive here, #belgrade #migrants #refugees: image via Marko Drobnjakovic @xmd101, 5 January 2017 



#migration: Thousands trapped in freezing temperatures in #Greece and the #balkans [photo Marko Drobnjakovic/AP]: image via MSF PICTURE DESK @MSF_PictureDesk, 9 January 2017



#migration: Thousands trapped in freezing temperatures in #Greece and the #balkans [photo Marko Drobnjakovic/AP]: image via MSF PICTURE DESK @MSF_PictureDesk, 9 January 2017


Drums, #belgrade #migrants #refugees: image via Marko Drobnjakovic @xmd101, 6 January 2017  
 


Adding color to misery, #belgrade #migrants #refugees: image via Marko Drobnjakovic @xmd101, 5 January 2017


Today the @SerbianGov will bring some of the people in #Belgrade to the camps, but not enough space for all. Many risk to sleep at -14. [photo Marko Drobnjakovic/AP]: image via MSF Sea @MSF_Sea, 6 January 2017

MSF Sea @MSF_Sea

Dear @SerbianPM, this is how people fleeing #Syria, #Afghanistan, #Iraq are living in your capital #Belgrade. Tonight it's gonna be -20C. [photo Marko Drobnjakovic/AP]

Lydia Gall Retweeted MSF Sea
Lydia Gall added,

- 20C and #refugees left in cold, putting lives at risk. Hungary Serbia govts need to ensure humane treatment and winterised accommodation
image via Lydia Gall @LydsG, 7 January 2017

 A migrant disturbs pigeons as he passes through a crumbling warehouse that has served as a makeshift shelter in #Serbia #DarkoVojinovic: image via AP Images @AP_Images, 12 January 2017

Migrants queue for food in front of an abandoned warehouse in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. Hundreds of migrants are sleeping rough in parks and make-shift shelters in the Serbian capital in freezing temperatures waiting for a chance to move forward toward the European Union.: photo by Darko Vojinovic/AP, 11 January 2017

 

Snow has covered Ritsona and Oinofyta refugee camps near Athens.  @Muheisen81 documents current conditions: image via AP Images @AP_Images, 12 January 2016

 

Snow has covered Ritsona and Oinofyta refugee camps near Athens.  @Muheisen81 documents current conditions: image via AP Images @AP_Images, 12 January 2016 

 Syrian refugee children look out from their shelter during snowfall at the refugee camp of Ritsona about 86 kilometers (53 miles) north of Athens, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. The European Commission said conditions for refugees on islands and other camps where they are housed in tents despite severe cold weather, is "untenable.": photo by Muhammed Muheisen/AP, 10 January 2017

 

Syrian refugee children look out from their shelter during snowfall at the refugee camp of Ritsona about 86 kilometers (53 miles) north of Athens, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. The European Commission said conditions for refugees on islands and other camps where they are housed in tents despite severe cold weather, is "untenable.": photo by Muhammed Muheisen/AP, 10 January 2017

Syrian refugee children look out from their shelter during snowfall at the refugee camp of Ritsona about 86 kilometers (53 miles) north of Athens, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. The European Commission said conditions for refugees on islands and other camps where they are housed in tents despite severe cold weather, is "untenable.": photo by Muhammed Muheisen/AP, 10 January 2017

Smoke rises during fighting between Iraqi security forces and Islamic State militants in the eastern side of Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017: photo by Khalid Mohammed/AP, 10 January 2017

A woman walks through steam from an underground ventilation, as temperatures dropped below minus 20 degrees Centigrade (minus 4 Fahrenheit) in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. Romania's Energy Minister Toma Petcu said neighboring Bulgaria had urgently asked for extra electricity, but the request was declined since the cold weather has stretched Romania's power grid and natural gas consumption in Romania could reach an all-time high due to the frigid temperatures.: photo by Vadim Ghirda/ AP, 10 January 2017

The Parthenon temple is seen atop of the snow-covered Acropolis hill in Athens, on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. Snow closed schools in the capital, as added pressure on the government to speed up winter preparations for thousands of refugees living in camps around the country.: photo by Antonis Nikolopoulos/Eurokinissi via AP, 10 January 2017

People are silhouetted by the sunset at the Gaza port, in Gaza City, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. The beach is one of the few open public spaces in this densely populated city.: photo by Hatem Moussa/AP, 10 January 2017

A migrant looks from inside an abandoned train wagon in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. Hundreds of migrants are sleeping rough in parks and make-shift shelters in the Serbian capital in freezing temperatures waiting for a chance to move forward toward the European Union.: photo by Darko Vojinovic/AP, 11 January 2017


A migrant looks from inside an abandoned train wagon in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. Hundreds of migrants are sleeping rough in parks and make-shift shelters in the Serbian capital in freezing temperatures waiting for a chance to move forward toward the European Union.: photo by Darko Vojinovic/AP, 11 January 2017


 A Syrian refugee child walks barefoot on frozen ground at the refugee camp of Ritsona about 86 kilometers (53 miles) north of Athens, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. The European Commission said conditions for refugees on islands and other camps where they are housed in tents despite severe cold weather, is "untenable.": photo by Muhammed Muheisen/AP, 11 January 2017

Mourners pray over the body of Musaap Yaser Hazem, 17, who died in a Islamic State mortar attack, during his funeral, in Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. Hazem's father said his son was killed during a Islamic State mortar attack in early December 2016, and had to be buried in the neighborhood because of the poor security situation. On Wednesday, approximately a month after he died, the security situation had improved and the family were finally able to give Hazem a proper burial in the Mosul cemetery. : photo by Khalid Mohammed/AP, 11 January 2017

An Israeli Arab boy walks on the rubble of demolished house in Kalansua, Israel, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. Israeli Arab leaders have called for a general strike in all their towns and villages in response to the demolition of 11 homes without proper permits by Israeli authorities. Lawmaker Yousef Jabareen said the demolition in the central city of Kalansua was "unprecedented" and vowed to fight further measures. He said the source of the problem were longstanding barriers placed by the state that prevent Arabs from acquiring proper building permits.: photo by Ariel Schalit/AP, 11 January 2017

The buildings of the banking district are seen through thousands of rain drops on a glass railing in central Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017: photo by Michael Probst/AP, 11 January 2017

 #Syria A man carries wood to be used for heating in the rebel-held town of #Douma, east. outskirts of #Damascus By @AbdDoumany @AFPphoto: image via Photojournalism @photojournalink, 12 January 2017

#Israel #Palestine A construction site at the Israeli settlement of Ramat Shlomo in the occupied West Bank. By @BazRatner @reuterspictures: image via Photojournalism @photojournalink, 12 January 2017