Half past twelve. Time has gone by quickly 
since nine o'clock when I lit the lamp 
and sat down here. I've been sitting without reading, 
without speaking. Completely alone in the house, 
whom could I talk to? 

Since nine o'clock when I lit the lamp 
the shade of my young body 
has come to haunt me, to remind me 
of shut scented rooms, 
of past sensual pleasure - what daring pleasure. 
And it's also brought back to me 
streets now unrecognizable, 
bustling night clubs now closed, 
theatres and cafes no longer here. 

The shade of my young body 
also brought back the things that make us sad: 
family grief, separations, 
the feelings of my own people, feelings 
of the dead so little acknowledged. 

Half past twelve. How the time has gone by. 
Half past twelve. How the years have gone by.