Of course br those who are standing at the top of the stairs br know br they know everything br br with us it's different br sweepers of squares br hostages of a better future br those at the top of the stairs br appear to us rarely br with a hushing finger always at the mouth br br we are patient br our wives darn the sunday shirts br we talk of food rations br soccer prices of shoes br while on saturday we tilt the head backward br and drink br br we aren't those br who clench their fists br brandish chains br talk and ask questions br in a fever of excitement br urging to rebel br incessantly talking and asking questions br br here is their fairy tale - br we will dash at the stairs br and capture them by storm br the heads of those who were standing at the top br will roll down the stairs br and at last we will gaze br at what can be seen from those heights br what future br what emptiness br br we don't desire the view br of rolling heads br we know how easily heads grow back br and at the top there will always remain br one or three br while at the bottom it is black from brooms and shovels br br sometimes we dream br those at the top of the stairs br come down br that is to us br and as we are chewing bread over the newspaper br they say br br - now let's talk br man to man br what the posters shout out isn't true br we carry the truth in tightly locked lips br it is cruel and much too heavy br so we bear the burden by ourselves br we aren't happy br we would gladly stay br here br br these are dreams of course br they can come true br or not come true br so we will br continue to cultivate br our square of dirt br square of stone br br with a light head br a cigarette behind the ear br and not a drop of hope in the heartbr br Zbigniew Herbertbr br