Wherever I go,
a terrible crush,
hustling through a crowd,
nervous irritation,
wrath and cursing,
hurrying and pushing.

Come on! Hurry up!
Waste no time! Get a move on!
Give way, damn you!

My life is nothing but
a rough-and-tumble fight
struggle for success,
battling anyone,
against everyone.

Imprisoned in a madhouse
which I myself helped to raise
and voluntarily locked myself into.

But now I'm sick and tired
of this way of life.
I can't stand it any longer.
I want out – whatever the cost!

But the steel entrance
is shut and locked with a bolt;
I can't run away by any means;
I am stuck in here
for ever and ever.

All of a sudden
I hear a mocking voice
coming from the jail.
Who might be that sneerer?

I shudder when I realize.
I know that voice for sure;
that is – that is my voice,
my own laugh…