And when do the protests placate
Of blood compressed in arteries?
And when rest on the table remnants,
Dentures and miseries?
And when do animals tremble of cold,
looking at the new shadow castrated?
And when in the desert of shudder
We gamble against our cards and dice?
And when are we tired of questions,
and answers we have not, even screaming?
And when to hopes together here
We cannot say how or when?
[ José Saramago, "Do como e do quando", Os poemas possíveis, 1966 ]
