An attempted translation of a short story by Yossel Birshtein

I am but a shadow/ Yossel Birstein (from “Stories Dancing in the Streets of Jerusalem”)

A famous poet came to my house. Walked around in my room with a drink in his hand, and talked about himself and about Jerusalem.
Was enthusiastic with both.
So much so that he sat in the chair and did not realize that he was sitting on me.
I signaled my wife not to shout. Let me be a shadow. He’s heavy. He’s weighing down on me. And I am involved but I cannot interfere.Jerusalem too weighs down on me. But when a new story emerges on the horizon, and even it is weighing down on me, I choose to remain a shadow – involved but not interfering.