[1] The book contains four poems which outline a fictional invention—an alarm clock that consists of a burning candle inserted in the sleeper's anus, containing markings for each hour to be spent sleeping.

The deeper the candle is inserted, the earlier the sleeper rises; the inventor acquires a patent on his idea.

The poems are inspired by a suggestion in Non Olet by Collofino[4] (ps.

In 2007, the poems were again republished separately, with 12 black and white illustrations by Dick Matena.

[4] In 1996, 22 years after its first publication, Komrij's reading of it in Tilburg in 1996 at the annual Night of the Book festival was particularly well received.