I empty myself of the names of others. I empty my pockets, I empty my shoes and leave them beside the road. At night I turn back the clocks; I open the family album and look at myself as a boy.

What good does it do? The hours have done their job. I say my own name. I say goodbye. The words follow each other downwind. I love my wife but send her away.

My parents rise out of their thrones into the milky rooms of clouds. How can I sing? Time tells me what I am. I change and I am the same. I empty myself of my life and my life remains.

This is the twentieth century, you are there, preparing to skin a human being alive. Your part will be to remain calm.

hijr kii raat kaaTane vaale kyaa karegaa agar sahar na hu_ii

You, who are awake. You, who are trying to outlive this night of exile, what will you do if dawn never comes?