Sweet Mud (2006) - full transcript

Set in mid-70's, 12-year old Dvir Avni navigates between the equality values of his home-born Kibbutz and the relationship with his undermined mother, whom the Kibbutz members will to denounce.

l'm going out

for a patrol.

Hush, hush...

There, there. Little fellow.

What is it? Hungry,

were you?

Good morning,

Peaches! Everybody up!

Ronen, would you

like that in writing? Uzi, get up!

How many times have you been told

not to sleep with your clothes on?

Dvir, get up.

Where's Dvir?

Good morning, Batya.

Good morning,

precious.

The Egyptian President threatens...

-Good morning.

Avram is bringing you chocolate.

Come here, my darling.

Good morning,

pretty girl.

Eat some.

Good morning.

Come here, pretty girl.

Come here.

Come here, Batya honey.

Come here, sweetie.

Good girl, Batya.

Come to Avram.

Yes, Batya.

Yes, Batya.

Avram loves you.

Avram loves you,

baby girl...

Summer 1 97 4

Good morning,

Peach troopers.

Your Bar Mitzvah

year begins today.

This year is the

most important of your lives.

During this year you

will turn from children to adults.

From a burden on society

to a crucial and essential factor.

This year, you will

receive 1 3 Bar Mitzvah assignments.

The assignments will prepare you

for life as adults on the kibbutz.

You will be informed in advance

about some of the assignments

and some will come as a surprise.

Uzi, wake him up.

l expect you to work hard

and get through them together

while cooperating

with each other.

Prove to the

kibbutz and to the movement

that you are worthy

of continuing our tradition.

To be a source of pride

for your parents.

To become the

kibbutz's future generation.

Come in, darling.

Peaches, this is Maya Perlman,

a foreign pupil from France.

Today she'll be joining our class.

Please take off

your watch.

lt's from my dad.

Ronen!

You'll all receive

watches at the end of the year.

You can keep the watch but don't

wear it because no one else has one.

Peaches, who would

like their parents

to adopt Maya?

Ronen, you. -Why not me?

-Because you don't have a father.

Ronen! Get out!

l wish you'd die

already! -Die yourself!

Son of a bitch!

Fight! Fight!

What are you doing?!

You're all going to be punished!

Open wide.

Your mouth's much

cleaner now. Spit.

Wipe yourself.

You can go to your

parents. Dvir, come here.

Dvir, over here!

Next time, think

before you put filth in your mouth.

Spit!

Rinse and wipe.

You can go to your

parents. Uzi, get over here.

What do you want

from him? He can't speak. -Butt out.

Open wide.

Spit. Rinse.

Wipe. You may leave.

Dvir, wait, sweetie. Your mother

got a letter from the Swiss guy.

l just finished

translating it for you.

Hey Smiley,

good boy.

Dvir!

Come here a sec.

My dog

had puppies again.

Sorry. -Dvir,

keep your dog on a leash!

l'll chop off his leg, get it?

Mom, we have new volunteers.

Mom, we have new

volunteers, you have to get up!

Mom, go dress up.

Shut up

and make coffee!

Dvir, listen to me.

Put this moron with

the French faggot,

and give her a single room

next to the Youth Club. Got it?

Then go to Granny's. lf she's angry,

tell her l'm working in the field.

Working in the

field, eh? l'm 90'/. sure he's

at the pool

with some blonde

and 1 00'/. sure she is not Jewish.

-Hannah, lay off of him.

lf your father knew

how you boys are neglecting his tree

he'd be turning over in his grave.

-Hannah, that's enough now!

Who's going to give

out the jam?

Let him do it.

-l don't have the time.

Get over here.

You give one jar to

each member on the list,

and tell them it's

from Jonathan Avni's tree,

who is remembered

as a wonderful man to this day.

ls that clear?

Next time l'll

slash that ball!

lt's the ambulance driver's kid.

l'm striking her off the list.

Go.

Thank her for me.

Close your eyes.

l have a surprise for you.

Was l on the list?

Give me a hug.

Why didn't you

sleep in the children's house?

l just went out for a walk.

-What walk?

Just a walk.

-Did you do your homework? -Not yet.

That's no good.

You don't do your homework,

you don't sleep, and you lie!

Look, l have

another surprise for you.

ls it translated?

-lt's inside.

What is it?

''l was thinking of

visiting the kibbutz this year.''

l'll finally get to see him.

He's never been here.

Maybe he'll want to stay.

Why are you afraid?

You're strong.

l'm not afraid.

l'm strong.

You're strong, Mom.

Comrades, our agenda is as follows:

1 . The fiscal report.

2. Popsicle and chocolate

theft from the kitchen,

and 3. Members continue to swim in

the pool when there's no lifeguard.

But before that,

Miri Avni requests to have

her boyfriend stay over for a month.

l tend to agree,

because l believe it is true love,

and even though he's a Gentile,

he's still the Swiss Judo champion.

But of course, we

still need to vote.

Miri!

We met on the beach in Netanya,

when l was at the sanatorium.

You'd like him.

For sure. l request your

permission to have Stephan over.

l don't see a problem,

l think she should be allowed.

Our regulations permit

members to have partners visit.

l'm in favor of allowing it

after all Miri's been through.

But one month is a long time

for a non-working guest. -lt is.

Then maybe he could

stay for two weeks.

l'd like to say that...

-We have nothing to say.

l'd like to raise

another issue:

When are we going

to decide on buying a new ambulance?

The old one has a

massive oil leak

and besides that,

its gear is shot.

l don't want to think what'd happen

if we ever have to rush anyone

to the hospital.

-Comrades!

Does anyone have anything to say

concerning Miri, or shall we vote?

''Stephan, my love.

Your letter made me very happy...''

''Stephan, my love.

Your letter made me very happy...''

''l love you and can hardly wait

to see you here at the kibbutz.''

''Can hardly wait'' is too much.

-What should l write then?

You can stay for 3 weeks.

-3 weeks without working? Make it 2.

2 weeks isn't long

enough for anything.

''Don't forget to buy gifts

for my kids.'' -That's important.

What sort of gifts?

-Firecrackers, cherry-bombs...

Absolutely not! lt's dangerous.

White chocolate or a puzzle.

''Yours, with much

love, Miri.''

''Yours, with much

love, Miri.''

Don't wait up.

-Don't come home too late.

Come on already.

Listen, you stay

here on watch,

l'll get the popsicles.

lf anyone comes, call me

and we'll run for it. Got it?

Can l come with you? -Dvir! lf you

want to grow up, you must be brave!

lf even stealing

popsicles scares you,

you'll always be a pussy. Got it?

Yes. -Good. So you

stay here and watch.

Just like a

mountain gale

Just like a

silent song

Like trees, in

gusts they flail

Like a flame

forever strong

Like a stranger

passing by

Without saying

a word

l just sing my song

l keep dreaming

my dream

l keep seeing

before my eyes

ls it true that

he's the Swiss Judo champion?

Sure, he's got

a black belt.

ls he nice?

l've never met him,

but Mom says he has a kind heart.

She didn't say that

about anyone, not since Dad died.

How did Dad die?

lt was an accident.

That's what Mom keeps telling me.

What sort of accident, though?

The Judo champion

of Switzerland

l'm sure you'll

like him.

But be polite and don't ask

for the firecrackers until he offers.

Hasn't he arrived?

Stephan!

My love.

Look at that old fart.

Can l get

an autograph?

The European Karate

champion is here!

The European Karate

champion is here!

What an old guy!

lsn't your mother

coming to the dining hall?

l guess she's too

busy with loverboy.

Shabbat Shalom.

This is Stephan.

Hannah and Zvi.

Parents of my late husband.

Nice to meet you.

This is my darling Dvir.

Look at the dress

he bought me!

For you.

Charming kid.

This is Eyal,

my eldest.

Thanks.

They don't need his gifts.

For you, Madame.

Shabbat Shalom!

l have two announcements.

First: the kite competition

will be held next week, as scheduled.

My dog Pitzi

is in heat again.

Please keep your dogs

on a leash! l'm going

for my military service

on Sunday and it's important to me

that Pitzi doesn't

get pregnant again. Thank you.

Thanks, Stephan.

Mom, l hate puzzles.

Never mind. Smile

and say ''merci''.

Merci.

Just like a

mountain gale

Just like

a silent song

Like trees,

in gusts they flail

Like a flame

forever strong

Like a stranger

passing by

Without saying

a word

l just sing my song

l keep dreaming

my dream

l keep seeing

before my eyes

All that ever was

l just sing my song

l keep dreaming

my dream

l keep seeing

before my eyes

All that ever was

Like a sea

that is not calm

Like a straying dog

Like a voice

that calls

Like a land

that wasn't sown

Like a desert bush

Like a barren land

l just sing my song

l keep dreaming

my dream

l keep seeing

before my eyes

All that ever was

l just sing my song

l keep dreaming

my dream

l keep seeing

before my eyes

All that ever was.

Dvir and Uzi!

You have to navigate

back to the kibbutz before sunset.

Good luck with your

assignment.

Don't go off the trails, because if

something happens we won't find you.

Good morning, Captain. -l'm reminding

you: keep your dog on a leash!

You sang very well.

ln you go. Avram

will be back soon.

What is it?

Want one?

Dvir and Uzi

are smoking.

There's a

discipline problem with that class.

Shimshon, this is

what l wanted to speak to you about.

l've been house mother

for the Peach class for a while now

and l wanted to ask

if l could be made a teacher.

Being a teacher means

having much more responsibility.

l'm very

responsible, and you know it.

Strip.

l'll rip you apart.

l forgot

to bring a condom.

Very responsible

of you!

Quiet, Smiley.

Smiley.

What is it?

What do you want?

Do you want to go

for a walk? Go.

Don't come inside.

-Yes, yes.

What? -Shit!

Hooligans!

l'll kick your asses!

Today l'm happy.

Thank you.

From now on you

will always be happy.

lt is paradise here.

l understand why you never

wanted to leave all these years.

l'm willing to move here.

Very simply.

l will close my

restaurant, rent out the house

and give my pension

to the kibbutz.

We don't need anything.

Miri, this is

an ideal place to live together.

l love you, Miri.

Darling!

You're right

on time for the chicken.

Smiley did Avram's dog. -Don't worry,

nothing will happen. -Mom.

Come here.

l want to tell you a secret.

We're getting married.

Really? -Yes.

Would you

kindly offer me a light, Dvir?

Thank you,

it's for you.

Wait.

l'll help you.

l'm also a kite champion.

Hello.

Hello, Sir.

Where are you from?

From Paris. And you?

From Switzerland.

Good luck with the competition.

Thank you.

The little one

likes you, do something.

How come you speak

French? -My parents do.

Where are they?

-My Dad's in France.

He is alone and had problems,

so he sent me here.

But soon he'll

send for me.

My Mom used to be alone too.

But now she's getting married.

Lucky you!

Good afternoon,

members of kibbutz Bet-Gvurot.

The judges have reached decisions

and l have the results right here.

3rd place...

lnbal Goren!

Great work, lnbal!

ln 2nd place,

Ronen Herzberg!

Great job, my sweet!

And in 1st place...

Dvir Avni!

You've won

for showing creativity and ingenuity.

Hip-hip-hooray!

Dvir, come here.

Get over here, l

want to talk to you.

Dvir, come here

right now!

How many times have l told

you to keep your dog on a leash!

l've told you a

thousand times...

My hand!

Violence?

Not in our community.

Not now, not ever!

lt's against all

our values, our education...

We will not

tolerate such bestial behavior!

He raised his hand

on one of us, he must go!

l'm not angry

at them.

l understand.

Stephan, don't go.

Miri,

think again.

We can't go on

meeting only once a year.

Bring the kids

and come to Switzerland.

l can't.

Why?

l don't understand.

l don't understand.

Little man. Take

good care of your mother.

Stephan,

don't go. Please.

Mom,

tell him not to go.

Maya,

want to come steal

popsicles with me?

Come on.

Listen,

you stay here

on watch,

l'll get the

popsicles.

lf anyone comes, call me

and we'll run for it. Got it?

Can l come with you?

-Maya!

lf you want to grow up,

you must be brave!

lf even stealing popsicles

scares you, you'll always be a pussy.

Can girls

be pussies?

Whatever, it's just

an example. Now stay here

and keep watch.

-Alright.

Smiley!

Please wake up!

Please!

Please...

Get up now, please!

What kind of a mother are you?

-What's wrong?

He killed Smiley!

Because of you.

Because of you!

You're not a Mom,

you're a wreck!

Dvir... Go back

to the children's house. Now!

lmpossible.

Avram's a good guy, a great worker,

and l don't see any

reason to blame him,

considering your

dog could open doors.

Maybe he was hungry, opened

the door and got locked inside!

This place is rotten!

-Don't raise your voice!

You've got two kids,

and we take care of everything.

Have you heard any complaints?

No.

-And why is that?

Because in our community,

we all give as much as we can

and get as much as we need.

When you were hospitalized... -That

was ages ago and l've recovered!

Your visitor didn't work for 2 weeks,

and that's great about our community.

Why was he kicked out?!

-Because he broke a member's arm!

That's enough! You can't blame

the kibbutz for your problems!

Why don't you ask yourself

what you can do for the kibbutz!

Miri,

don't do it!

Why?

Why?!

Why?

Good morning...

l'm alright.

l'm alright.

l'm alright! -Miri?

lt's alright.

Miri... -l'm alright!

-Miri, everything's alright.

Come with me now.

You're late for work.

Can you hear me?

What does she want from me? ls it

my fault the Swiss guy dumped her?

You devil!

l'll kill you.

Miri, calm down!

Give me

the pitchfork!

l'll chop you up!

You maniac! -Miri, put it down or

l'll send you back to the hospital!

Go ahead,

hospitalize me!

Maniac!

-l'll kill you!!

Maniac!

The shoulder!

Stop it! Let me go!

Happy Birthday

to you...

Mazal Tov!

Mazal Tov.

Aren't you happy?

l already have

a bike that Mom gave me.

Now you'll have a new one. -When

are they going to let Mom come back?

Dvir, we had this conversation

just the other week.

Your mother needs time.

l want to see her.

She can't see you right now.

-Why not?

Dvir, don't worry.

She's in good hands.

l've got to visit her.

She must miss me.

Eyal is going to visit her tomorrow.

Would you like to write her?

l don't want to write her!

l want to see her!

Autumn

Hi, sweetie.

How's Mum?

As good as new.

- Really?

Looks great, she's all better.

That's why l brought her back home.

She's in the kibbutz?

Asleep.

You can see her later.

Will you come

with me?

Can't. My draft orders came,

l'm outta here in an hour.

You're not coming

to see Mom?

Dvir, don't be a baby!

l'm enlisting!

When are you coming back?

-ln 3 years.

But l'll be home

on weekends.

Will you come with me to Mom's?

Just for a few minutes?

Don't worry, Dviri.

Go see her every day,

make sure she goes to bed early,

and see she's

off alcohol and medication.

Dviri...

How are you?

What's that?

lt's the puzzle

Stephan bought you.

l wrote him a letter.

Want me to read it to you?

Yes.

''Stephan, my love.

l was happy to get

your letter.

l want you to know l remained

faithful to you in the hospital.

And l can

hardly wait...''

How is it so far?

Want to start over?

''Stephan,

my dear love''

Comma.

''l apologize for

everything that's happened.

And l want you

to know

that l love you

and miss you a lot.

Don't give up

on me, please.''

Period.

Stephan's left me.

Don't worry, Mom.

We'll find someone

better for you.

''From Tel Aviv.

50 years old. An army officer.

lntelligent,

and has a car every other weekend''.

And this is his

military post address.

He wouldn't want me.

Fine,

then l'll write him.

''Young,

kind-hearted,

sensitive,

intelligent,

a perfect dancer,

terrific Mom.''

Don't write

that l smoke.

Fine.

Up on your feet! Up!

Get in, coward!

''l swear to the Movement!''

-l swear...

Get in line.

On the tractor!

Step forward!

l swear to the

Movement. -l swear.

On the tractor!

Step forward!

l swear! -l swear.

On the tractor!

Step forward! l

swear! -l swear!

On the tractor!

Step forward!

Winter

Dvir!

l brought you

some kerosene.

We agreed to bring her back, although

the kibbutz decided she wasn't sane.

But you have

to be careful.

Do you understand?

You have to be careful that

what happened to your father

won't happen to you.

What happened

to my father?

lt's her fault.

All her fault.

Wanna do

something special?

Like what?

Wanna go for a walk?

But it's raining.

-Then we could cook something.

Let's go out to the field,

get some potatoes and bake them.

Mom, it's raining.

We'll take

an umbrella.

You won't melt.

Would you like that?

Yeah.

This is fun!

-Say again, dear?

This is fun!

This is fun!

This is fun!

You're fun.

You are the best part of my life.

Let's go back.

l don't want you to catch a cold.

Dviri...

you're a big boy

now.

l want you to know

that this time l recovered for good.

Your mother is

as strong as an ox.

Mom,

what's that suitcase?

l'm going to Stephan.

Didn't l tell you?

No.

When are you leaving?

ln one hour.

Mom...

You're not going

anywhere.

''You are the world,

and the world is you.

l need you like

the air l breathe.

Day and night,

and when l fall asleep.

Dad,

l want to hug you.''

Sounds better

in French.

Sounds good

in Hebrew, too.

Really?

This is from France.

My Dad told me to

save it for hard times,

when l can't take

it anymore.

l have two left.

Want one?

Are you sure?

Thank you.

Good night.

Don't stay up

too late, Dvir.

Have you been

drinking?

l'm sorry, l was alone.

And the puzzle is tricky.

All pieces are white.

You should go to sleep.

-l can't sleep.

Why did he leave me?

-He didn't leave you. He loves you.

Why doesn't he

write to me?

He will write...

l'm sure he will.

Now go to sleep, okay?

Today we

will learn about sex.

First, there's no

sex without love. And why?

Because two people who

have a baby must love each other.

Otherwise, their child

will not be happy. ls that clear?

So first there's

love, then sex.

But only after the

age of 1 8, is that clear?

This is the second

time you're late.

Next time you'll be punished!

-Take your seat.

This is the male

organ, the penis,

and this is the

female organ, the vagina.

The brain commands

the penis to become erect and grow

and it gets bigger

and bigger.

The vagina senses

it, and begins to lubricate,

in anticipation of

the penis.

The penis realizes this

and inserts itself in the vagina,

where all at once it ejaculates

millions of sperm cells.

This is how we get

pregnant.

So to sum it up:

Love plus sex,

after the age of 1 8,

equals pregnancy.

ls that clear?

Excuse me.

Have you seen

Dvir? -No.

He didn't sleep

in the children's house,

so he missed the personal assignment.

They're very angry with him.

-Shall l go look for him? -No.

There's lots of

work today. Start sorting.

Miri, you got a letter.

l just finished translating it.

Shall l read

it to you?

''Miri, my love.

Ever since l left lsrael,

l haven't stopped thinking of you.

You are the woman of my life.

You are my other half,

l could never let you go.

l believe we'll work it all out soon

and be able to be

together forever.

Meanwhile, you must be strong

and think only good thoughts.

Remember, love

conquers all. Stephan.''

lf a baby cries,

you will hear it over the intercom.

Then you take a bottle of milk

and rush over to the baby.

ls that clear?

Yes. -Dvir...

Let's go patrol

the fence.

l'll let you fire

the rifle.

l wanna stay.

Scared, huh?

Fine.

Just don't you dare

fall asleep.

Kids, this is Avram. Don't burn the

milk, or you'll fail the assignment.

''l think of you

when l get up in the morning.

l write a poem for you

before l go to bed.''

''l think of you

when l get up in the morning.

l write a poem for you

before l go to bed.''

Draw a flower here.

A heart.

A heart's better.

Okay.

''P.S. Give my regards to Dvir. Do

as he says, 'cause he's a smart boy.''

Carob.

Mom...

What is it?

l'm depressed.

Why?

l'm alone.

No, you're not.

Everyone

is leaving me.

Nobody

is leaving you. Look.

You got another

postcard from Stephan.

l'm out of Elaterol.

What's Elaterol?

A pill that warms

my heart.

When did you start

taking it?

After your father

killed himself.

What do you need,

sweetie?

l need Elaterol.

Why?

-For my mother.

l gave her two packs

the other week. -She's out.

l can't give her any more.

-She needs more. lt warms her heart!

l know what it does,

but overdosing can be harmful!

She's suffering,

don't you get it? -Calm down.

You have lots of it!

Why are you being so mean?

You don't understand...

-Oh, yes l do.

This is Hannah, my grandmother,

she runs the laundry service.

This is Zvi, my grandfather,

who's our teacher.

This is Miri, my

mother.

She works in the

laundry, too.

This is Stephan, her boyfriend.

Owns a restaurant in Switzerland.

That's Eyal,

my brother.

This is Jonathan,

my Dad.

He died, so that's

why he's in a different color.

And this is me.

-Well done.

How did your father die?

-Ronen! -Sorry.

My father killed

himself.

l don't know

what to do.

l'm scared.

Let's write her

another letter from Stephan.

lt's no use.

She doesn't write him back.

So we'll write him

in her name.

''Stephan, my love...''

What does she want

to say to him?

That she is

willing to leave the kibbutz.

That she wants him

to send plane tickets right away.

That l love him.

Spring

Thanks, sweetie.

Thanks.

ln the field,

we ate nothing but plants,

then we had to navigate in the night.

l was out of bullets,

so l pulled out my knife!

Then they put me

on the stretcher.

The tank

went up in flames,

the chopper

didn't show up,

so eventually

l got promoted!

Why are you so quiet?

-Will you come with me to see Mom?

Dviri, l'm dying to get laid,

l've got two hours.

Mom's in bad shape.

-l know she is. What can l do?

Want some? - Someone's got

to help her. -No-one can help her.

She doesn't want to live,

she said so.

Don't worry.

Everybody wants to live.

Dad didn't. -Dvir, give me a break,

l'm dying to get laid!

Dvir!

l'm sorry.

Sit down

for a second.

Don't take this

upon yourself.

You can't.

No-one can.

Mom's ill, she'll never recover.

-She would if Stephan wrote her.

She can't go on

thinking about him.

lt's driving her crazy.

She got a letter.

But l didn't have

it translated.

When?

''l'm sending

three tickets,

in case Eyal wants

to come along.

My love, l can hardly

wait to see you in Switzerland.

Love, Stephan.''

l'll miss you.

A lot.

Do you want to come with us?

There's a ticket for you.

l do.

We're leaving straight after

the fire ceremony. But it's a secret.

l won't tell.

What are you

thinking?

l think l love you.

lt's a secret,

you see.

We're going

straight after the fire ceremony.

lt will be alright.

You must hold on for two more days.

Promise me you're

going to make it.

Promise?

Promise.

You're beautiful.

You're beautiful.

We're together.

We're leaving

together.

We're together.

We're leaving together.

Our Bar Mitzvah

graduates, Peach class!

And first to go is...

Oren Slutzki!

-Lift!

Pull! Jump!

Well done!

-''Oren, my dear, may you be

a source of pride

to the Movement and the kibbutz.

May you grow up

to be an officer, like me,

and may you always

remember where you came from.

We love you very much,

your father and mother.''

Well done, Oren.

Well done!

And second is...

Uzi Kaplan!

-Lift! Pull!

Jump!

Well done! Go on!

''My sweet Uzi,

on this exciting day

l would like to ask

you, if l may,

to always work hard

and make everybody

proud of you.

Always remember,

we all love you!

Your Dad and your Mom

and all the kibbutz members.''

Well done!

Next we have...

Dvir Avni!

Lift! Pull!

Jump!

''My dear Dvir,

on your special day

l wanted to wish you

that you'll be a kind person,

that you'll be

a person...''

My Dvir...

l tried writing,

but it didn't work out.

So l'll give you my

blessing from the heart.

My child,

l wanted to be

a mother to you...

l wanted

to raise you

and to care for you.

But l couldn't do it.

l'm sorry.

lt's not my fault.

-Miri. -Wait!

My darling Dvir,

l wish you a happy life!

Full of love.

And l hope you run away

from this place and never come back!

Let go of me!

Because this

kibbutz is death!

Full of evil people!

You must know

the truth!

You must know

the truth!

Your father wanted to leave, too!

But they suffocated him!

They crushed him!

Until he broke!

lt's a kibbutz

of evil people!

They wouldn't let

me take you and your brother!

They said l'm crazy.

They wouldn't let

me take my kids!

You must know

the truth. Run away!

As far as you can!

Save yourself from this hellhole!

From these evil people!

Run away!

Forgive me.

lt's for life, Mom.

They're going to

hospitalize me. Tomorrow.

l just want

to sleep.

Help me.

We could

still go away.

We'll run away

first thing tomorrow morning.

You won't be

hospitalized.

Dvir,

l want to sleep.

Please have mercy on me.

We'll go

to Stephan's.

We'll get up

and go to Stephan's.

l want to sleep.

Don't you

understand?

Can't you

understand?

l have to go

to sleep.

l'm out of pills.

Help me, Dviri.

What pills

do you need?

Valium.

Take care

of yourself.

After l am gone,

Spare the gravestone,

Save it for a building.

Don't print a book of my life,

Save the space on the shelf.

Don't waste a day in my memory.

Enough, we have had enough.

Tzipora Shaul,