I live most graciously and magnificently, and at the turn of the year it is time for
presents - presents to Pater O, to Peter Pan, to mother, to the kind grand uncles and all
my friends, we will live for ever
I give them the presents of eternity: a wild beast's pelt, strong green lianas, I have
tamed
a little time for them, I light candles, bind the lianas, I read the texts, pause
at the first paragraph, third line, chase off the hounds of hell, everything that can
torment them, scatter magic words and devout prayers around me.
I take a zigzag route through the town, screw up my courage, look at them with
something that must resemble the look of the gods, gentle, thunderingly gentle
but death holds sway, offers the anti-present, the unacceptable, that which/
creates debt.

English Translation by John Irons