Who's that I hear?—It's me—Who?—Your heart Hanging on by the thinnest thread I lose all my strength, substance, and fluid When I see you withdrawn this way all alone Like a whipped cur sulking in the corner Is it due to your mad hedonism?— What's it to you?—I have to suffer for it— Leave me alone—Why?—I'll think about it— When will you do that?—When I've grown up— I've nothing more to tell you—I'll survive without it— What's your idea?—To be a good man— You're thirty, for a mule that's a lifetime You call that childhood?—No—Madness Must have hold of you—By what, the halter?— You don't know a thing—Yes I do—What?—Flies in milk One's white, one's black, they're opposites— That's all?—How can I say it better? If that doesn't suit you I'll start over— You're lost—Well I'll go down fighting— I've nothing more to tell you—I'll survive without it— I get the heartache, you the injury and pain If you were just some poor crazy idiot I'd be able to make excuses for you You don't even care, all's one to you, foul or fair Either your head's harder than a rock Or you actually prefer misery to honor Now what do you say to that?— Once I'm dead I'll rise above it— God, what comfort—What wise eloquence— I've nothing more to tell you—I'll survive without it— Why are you miserable?—Because of my miseries When Saturn packed my satchel I think He put in these troubles—That's mad You're his lord and you talk like his slave Look what Solomon wrote in his book "A wise man" he says "has authority Over the planets and their influence"— I don't believe it, as they made me I'll be— What are you saying?—Yes that's what I think— I've nothing more to tell you—I'll survive without it— Want to live?—God give me the strength— It's necessary...—What is?—To feel remorse Lots of reading—What kind?—Read for knowledge Leave fools alone—I'll take your advice— Or will you forget?—I've got it fixed in mind— Now act before things go from bad to worse I've nothing more to tell you—I'll survive without it. Trans. Galway Kinnell