Corentin GachonActually Natalia, it can be interpreted differently. Just like any part of this piece of poetical awesomeness, let's face it. It could be that the "past" is only the book, and that only present and future depict the life of the same man. Meaning the links made between the conquistador and Tommy (from the future) are in... fact his memories of his wife. Again, there's nothing definitive in this masterpiece, and that's what I like the most about it.