Thus Cried the Exhausted
I will say nothing
I never did anything against your land
but you stabbed ours
I never conspired never spoke with friends or with the stars nor with
the gods I never dreamt
I sleep like the stone thrown into the well
I am stupid like the vengeful massacres
I never thought I'm innocent
I will say nothing I know nothing
even if they spank me
I will say nothing
even if they offer me riches
I will say nothing
even if the cane breaks my fingers, I will say nothing
even if they offer me freedom I will say nothing even if they
shake hands with me I will say nothing even if they threaten death
I will say nothing
(PIDE jail, Luanda, June 1960)
(Transl. by AW
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