Just think about it:
Paris - 1938
England - 1914
Russia (The Romanoffs had just celebrated 300 years of existence. The czars will live forever)..
There's a feeling of autumn
before the shuffling of cards
in years and days that come before wars
Sleeping in bed
tasting the familiar sheets and the nights
Saying 'Good night' to faces we took for granted
and the feeling of something impending
Standing right behind the corner
We do not live in a safe world
and I do not live in a safe country.
Sea-waves touch my window-sill
As they have touched my eyes these last twenty-three years;
but lately I've been tasting the salty-air
and breathed in deep the promenade and people
as though for the last time..
My god, prove me wrong!
Prove my feelings wrong!
It is so hard to live this long farewell..