If instead of being hanged by the neck
you’re thrown inside
for not giving up hope
in the world, your country, and people,
if you do ten or fifteen years
apart from the time you have left,
you won’t say,
“Better I had swung from the end of a rope
like a flag”—
These lines describe a situation where someone is facing imprisonment rather than being executed. The person is expressing that even if they have to spend a significant amount of time in prison, they still believe in hope for the world, their country, and their fellow people. They are saying that they would not regret their choice to hold onto hope, even if it means enduring a long sentence.
you’ll put your foot down and live.
It may not be a pleasure exactly,
but it’s your solemn duty
to live one more day
to spite the enemy.
Part of you may live alone inside,
like a stone at the bottom of a well.
But the other part
must be so caught up
in the flurry of the world
that you shiver there inside
when outside, at forty days’ distance, a leaf moves.
These lines emphasize the importance of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The speaker encourages the reader to firmly stand their ground and continue living, even if it may not be enjoyable. They describe it as a solemn duty to defy the enemy by living one more day. While a part of the person may feel isolated and alone, like a stone at the bottom of a well, the other part should remain engaged and connected to the world, sensitive to even the slightest movements and changes. It highlights the contrast between internal contemplation and the vibrant external world.
To wait for letters inside,
to sing sad songs,
or to lie awake all night staring at the ceiling
is sweet but dangerous.
Look at your face from shave to shave,
forget your age,
watch out for lice
and for spring nights,
and always remember
to eat every last piece of bread—
also, don’t forget to laugh heartily.
And who knows,
the woman you love may stop loving you.
These lines highlight the bittersweet nature of waiting, longing, and yearning for love. The speaker suggests that while it may be sweet to engage in activities like waiting for letters, singing sad songs, or staying awake at night lost in thoughts, there is also a danger in becoming too consumed by these emotions. The speaker advises the reader to focus on the present, take care of themselves by shaving, being mindful of their age, and watching out for practical concerns like lice and the passing of time. They also emphasize the importance of savoring every experience, even the simple act of eating every last piece of bread. Lastly, the speaker reminds the reader that love can be unpredictable, and the person they love may stop loving them.
Don’t say it’s no big thing:
it’s like the snapping of a green branch
to the man inside.
To think of roses and gardens inside is bad,
to think of seas and mountains is good.
Read and write without rest,
and I also advise weaving
and making mirrors.
These lines suggest that the speaker believes in the power of imagination and creativity as a means of finding solace and inspiration. They compare the impact of a seemingly small event, like the snapping of a green branch, to the profound effect it can have on a person’s inner world. The speaker advises against dwelling on negative thoughts, symbolized by thinking of roses and gardens inside, and encourages focusing on positive and expansive thoughts, symbolized by thinking of seas and mountains. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and self-expression through reading, writing, weaving, and making mirrors. Overall, these lines advocate for nurturing one’s inner world through imagination and creative pursuits.
I mean, it’s not that you can’t pass
ten or fifteen years inside
and more—
you can,
as long as the jewel
on the left side of your chest doesn’t lose its luster!
These lines describe the possibility of spending a significant amount of time, even ten or fifteen years or more, in solitude or seclusion. However, the key is to maintain the inner spark, symbolized by the jewel on the left side of the chest, and not let it lose its luster. It suggests that as long as one’s inner passion, drive, and motivation remain vibrant, one can endure and thrive during an extended period of solitude or isolation.
