And people continued to complain and whine, They thought that justice should be made observed, “While we with patience were standing in the line, Those who came after us were served before!” They were expounded with the motives purest, “Make not noise, dears, let’s avoid confusion. Those served before you - it’s the foreign tourists, And, let us know, who on earth are you?” But people continued to complain and whine, They thought that justice should be made observed, “While we with patience were standing in the line, Those who came after us were served before!” The manager, again, was very tender, “Be tactful, dears, think the subject through. Those served before you - it’s the council members, And, let us know, who on earth are you?” But people continued to complain and whine, They thought that justice should be made observed, “While we with patience were standing in the line, Those who came after us were served before...”
© Akbar Muhammad. Translation, 2016
(akbarmuhammad.awardspace.co.uk)
[Adapted from Serge Elnitsky’s “The Line”.]