The famous -- Czechoslovakia is famous for having the most
well-known men of, not exactly Czech origin--
the most, well, best-known Czech writer
is Franz Kafka who is a Prague-German Jew.
The best-known Czech geologist, Joachim Barrande,
who is a Frenchman living in Prague.
And one of the greatest Czech writers of the 19th century,
Jan Neruda, was the son of Joachim Barrande, which
is not the official history, but I think it's right.
And Kafka, Franz Kafka is buried in a so-called old Jewish
cemetery in Prague [INAUDIBLE].
And I do not know why--
it shows my deep affiliation with American literature.
I can visit the grave only with American visitors.
Whenever I come there alone, it's
locked for a state holiday, for the Jewish holiday,
or for decoration or something.
I don't know.
So this is a poem when I visited the cemetery
with Stuart Friebert.
"The Jewish cemetery at Olsany, Kafka's grave, April,
sunny weather.
Lurking under the maple trees, a few forlorn
stones like scattered words--
loneliness so close it has to be made of stone.
The old men at the gate, a Gregor Samsa
who didn't metamorphose, squinting in the naked light,
answering every question--
sorry, I don't know.
I am not from Prague."