Sadegh Hedayat

My one fear is that tomorrow I may die without having come to know myself

It had become a habit with me to go out for a walk every day just before sunset.

In the fine rain which softened the intensity of the colours and the clarity of the outlines I experienced a sense of liberation and tranquillity.

I wished that I could run away from myself.

Come winter we sit by the side of the garden, sun bathing. It’s been a year since I’ve been living with these weird and peculiar people.

There is no common ground between us. I am as different from them as the earth is from the sky. But their moaning, silences, insults, crying and laughter will forever turn my sleep into nightmare.

But I know him. I know that there, under the tree, three drops of blood have fallen onto the ground.

Those three drops of blood are the cat’s but if anyone asked he would say they belong to the bird of truth.

What a pity that once more it is night.

From head to toe the world is dark.

For everyone it has become the time of peace

Except me, whose despair and sorrow are increased.

There is no happiness in the nature of the world,

Except death there is no cure for my sorrow.

But at that corner under the pine tree

Three drops of blood have fallen free.