INSTRUCTIONS FOR WINDING A WATCH

There in the deep lies death, but don't be afraid. Take hold of the watch with one hand, with two fingers grasp the stem, rewind it smoothly. Now another period of time is opened, trees unfold their leaves, boats run races, like a fan time goes on filling with itself; and from it sprout the air, the breezes of the earth, the shadow of a woman, the scent of bread.

What more do you wish, what more do you wish? Strap it quickly to your wrist, let it beat in freedom, imitate it with longing. Fear will rust the anchors, everything that could suffice and was forgotten goes corroding the watch's veins, gangrene in the tiny rubies of its cold blood. And there in the deep lies death if we do not run, and arrive beforehand, and understand that it no longer matters.

       -Julio Cortázar (original text)