Phooo! Light one, but only if you wish to. When you do, I shall have a bit. And pour me one, in a glass, a peg of life, of course, I am on, I will have a phooo! and a swig and I shall carry on. That’s what it’s there for, the phooo! and the peg. Badhaao yaar! Ekdum! I am on this chillum, it’s called life. I will suck on it until it sucks me out. It’s a two-way thing, if not a more ways thing, this thing called life, and I am talking about it this Sunday. Having just left the station, having trundled past the platform, having gone to a distance from which there is no coming back.

Remember this: while you live and do what you do while you live, you will come to pass. King. Queen. Knave. Nobokov says: Nobody stays, not on this platform. Other than the platform itself. Everything passes. Pass we must, into the fog. Or smoke. Cigarette smoke? That’ll do, cigarette smoke too. Phooo!

It’s okay, never mind, I have seen it all, I have lived it and I shall outlive it, who do you think I am, you have no idea. Come to me someday, wherever I am, and if you are able to find me, I shall tell you. I shall tell you even after I am gone, but you shall have to find me. Secure my address, make the journey, and then you shall have your reward. It won’t be easy — getting the address for where I’ve gone, or, having got the address, getting there. Nevertheless, do try. You may get somewhere. You may hear something. Should you wish to hear what others have to say, although most folks have come to sincerely doubt that it is the case with you, that you wish to hear what others have to say, lend them a ear. Or two. It is now commonly agreed you do not give a lobe, not to mention a ear.

I would have told you a few things, but no, on you they’d be wasted. You won’t understand, let’s not talk about you. Just know that you are passing too. You’re on Platform One, but you are outbound. Does it sound like something that is following from things I said the week just gone? Could be. Who cares?

Dum maro Dum!

Mit jaaaye gham

Bolo subah shaaaam,

Hare Krishna Hare Ram!!

Duniya ne humko diya kya

Duniya se hamne liya kya

Ham sabki parwaah karen kyon

Sabne hamara kiya kya?

I am done. Quite Done!

Finished! That’s all there is.

Fit and fine

Is my line

Life was a meal and a half

Just say that on my behalf.