B is for Before....by Yehuda Amichai

Before the gate has been closed,

        Before the last question is posed,

Before I am transposed.

        Before the weeds fill the gardens,

Before there are no pardons,

        Before the concrete is hardened,

Before all the flute-holes are covered,

        Before all things are locked in cupboards,

Before the rules are discovered.

        Before the conclusion is planned,

Before God closes His Hand,

        Before we have nowhere to stand.

Written by Yehuda Amichai

Translated by Chana Bloch and Stephen Mitchell

 Source

1924-2000