The Dreams

Dream 33

What had happened to the street, and to the whole quarter? Whatever it was, I didn’t expect anything good from what I saw.

The quarter looked completely decrepit with age. Its splendor gone, garbage was strewn here and there. I came across a laborer, and asked him, “What’s going on?”

“Only God lasts forever,” he said, smiling. “God be praised, all things change.”

I headed for my friend’s residence, expecting that what happened to the quarter would have befallen it, too, or even worse. I wouldn’t deny he was my go-between for getting some medicines I needed from abroad, just as his telephone call could solve the most intractable problems in government offices. I found him depressed and without hope, so I consoled him. “In any case,” I said, “at least you have a profession.”

“The passing days will prove that we are not worse off than anyone else,” he replied derisively.

I asked myself, is there truly anything worse? No sooner had I said this, than a group of young men and women appeared. Each one carried a bag full of things from the apartment — pyjamas and underclothes, alluring ladies’ blouses, cosmetic creams, and perfumed fragrances.

Each one left, carrying his bag.… Each item spoke of what kind of services had been offered in my friend’s flat — as it testified to his decline.

I wondered, is he really doing so well, or is he miserable with humiliation and remorse?