Zozobra

Every year in Santa Fe, the community gathers to burn the man. Zozobra, that is— a giant marrionette puppet also known as Old Man Gloom.

They bring old police reports, taxes, lawsuits, bad report cards— anything they'd like to forget— and store them within Zozobra to be burned in a fantastic show of lights, fire and dancing. The years troubles and worries spread like little fireflies up into the air until they finally disappear.

After Zozobra, the past is in the past and each person is given the freedom to move into the future unburdened by worry.

When Bush is finally out of office, I propose a country wide Zozobra.