'Before' by Yehuda Amichai

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The Selected Poetry Of Yehuda AmichaiBefore the gate has been closed,
before the last quetion is posed,
before I am transposed.
Before the weeds fill the gardens,
before there are no pardons,
before the concrete hardens.
Before all the flute-holes are covered,
beore things are locked in then cupboard,
before the rules are discovered.
Before the conclusion is planned,
before God closes his hand,
before we have nowhere to stand.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Before" - A Masterpiece of Yehuda Amichai's Poetry

Are you looking for a poem that has the power to transport you to a different world with its vivid imagery and hauntingly beautiful language? Look no further than "Before" by Yehuda Amichai. This poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry that combines deep emotions with worldly observations to create a stunning work of art.

Yehuda Amichai - A Brief Introduction

Before diving deep into the poem, let's take a moment to appreciate the genius of Yehuda Amichai. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, and his works have been translated into over 40 languages. Born in Germany in 1924, he moved to Palestine at a young age and lived there for the rest of his life. His poetry reflects his experiences as an Israeli in a constantly changing political landscape, and his use of language is unparalleled in its depth and beauty.

The Poem - "Before"

"Before" is a short poem, consisting of just 15 lines. But within those lines, Amichai manages to capture the essence of human existence with his poignant words. The poem starts with the line "Before the beginning of years", which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "before" implies a sense of timelessness and eternity, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The first stanza continues with the lines "there was a thing called sorrow, / There was a thing called sin". Here, Amichai is giving voice to the common human experience of pain and wrongdoing. These emotions have existed since the beginning of time, and they are an essential part of what makes us human.

The second stanza starts with the line "Before the beginning of the world", which again emphasizes the idea of timelessness. Amichai then describes a scene of nature, with "the wind blew / And the birds sang / And the clouds drifted by". This imagery is both beautiful and haunting, as it reminds us that the natural world existed before we did and will continue to exist long after we are gone.

The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to human existence. Amichai writes, "Before we knew how to hate / We knew how to love". This line is a powerful reminder that love is the most fundamental human emotion, and it is something that has existed since the beginning of time. The poem ends with the line "Before we were people / We were already nothing". This line is a poignant reflection on the transient nature of human existence, and it is a reminder that we are all just small parts of something much larger than ourselves.

Literary Analysis

"Before" is a poem that is rich in imagery and metaphor, and every word and phrase is carefully chosen to convey a deeper meaning. The use of the word "before" throughout the poem creates a sense of timelessness and eternity, which is a recurring theme. The idea that emotions like sorrow and love have existed since the beginning of time is powerful, and it emphasizes the idea that these emotions are an essential part of what makes us human.

The juxtaposition of human existence with the natural world is also a recurring theme in the poem. The imagery of the wind, birds, and clouds creates a sense of beauty and peace, but it also serves as a reminder that the natural world existed before humans did and will continue to exist long after we are gone. This idea is emphasized in the final stanza when Amichai writes, "Before we were people / We were already nothing". This line is a reminder that our existence is fleeting and that we are just small parts of something much larger than ourselves.

The use of language in the poem is also worth noting. The simple, almost childlike language in the final stanza ("Before we knew how to hate / We knew how to love") creates a sense of innocence and purity. This innocence is contrasted with the more complex language used in the first stanza ("there was a thing called sorrow, / There was a thing called sin"), which creates a sense of complexity and depth.

Conclusion

"Before" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that combines deep emotions with worldly observations to create a stunning work of art. The use of imagery, metaphor, and carefully chosen language creates a sense of timelessness and eternity, and the poem serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of human existence. Yehuda Amichai's poetry is a testament to the power of language to convey deep emotion and universal truths, and "Before" is a shining example of his genius.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Before: An Analysis of Yehuda Amichai's Classic Work

Yehuda Amichai, one of Israel's most celebrated poets, wrote a poem titled "Poetry Before" that has become a classic in the world of literature. This poem is a reflection on the power of poetry and how it can connect us to our past, present, and future. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in "Poetry Before" and how they contribute to the poem's overall meaning.

The poem begins with the line, "Poetry before it is written is like a room." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that poetry is a space that is waiting to be filled. The room is empty, but it has the potential to be filled with something beautiful and meaningful. This line also suggests that poetry is not just a physical space, but a mental and emotional one as well.

Amichai goes on to describe the room as having "furniture made of air, a suite for the soul." This line is a metaphor for the intangible nature of poetry. The furniture made of air represents the ideas and emotions that poetry can evoke. The suite for the soul suggests that poetry can provide comfort and solace to those who read it.

The next line, "Empty, you stare at walls, abstract and bare," describes the feeling of being in an empty room. This line is also a metaphor for the writer's block that poets often experience. The abstract and bare walls represent the lack of inspiration that can make it difficult to write poetry.

Amichai then writes, "Then poems come, like a crowd of people, filling the empty space." This line suggests that poetry is not just a solitary activity, but a communal one. The crowd of people represents the different voices and perspectives that poetry can bring together. The poems fill the empty space, bringing life and meaning to the room.

The next few lines describe the different types of poems that can fill the room. Amichai writes, "Each poem sets up camp in a different corner, and sentences are pitched like tents against the walls." This line suggests that each poem has its own unique voice and perspective. The sentences pitched like tents represent the structure and form of poetry.

Amichai then writes, "Beneath them, the floorboards creak, the wood groans with age." This line is a metaphor for the history and tradition of poetry. The floorboards represent the foundation of poetry, which has been built up over centuries. The creaking and groaning of the wood suggest that poetry is alive and constantly evolving.

The next line, "The air is full of the scent of ink and paper," describes the physicality of poetry. The scent of ink and paper represents the tangible nature of poetry, which can be held and read. This line also suggests that poetry is a sensory experience, as it can evoke different emotions and sensations.

Amichai then writes, "A door opens and shuts, and someone enters and leaves." This line suggests that poetry is a transient experience. The door opening and shutting represents the passing of time, and the person entering and leaving represents the different readers who come to poetry with their own perspectives and experiences.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. Amichai writes, "The room is full of voices, each different, but each speaking the same language." This line suggests that poetry is a universal language that can connect us all. The different voices represent the diversity of humanity, but the fact that they are all speaking the same language suggests that poetry can bring us together.

The final line of the poem, "Tear down the walls, let the words out," is a call to action. It suggests that poetry has the power to break down barriers and bring people together. The words of poetry can transcend language, culture, and time, and connect us to our shared humanity.

In terms of literary devices, "Poetry Before" is rich with metaphors and imagery. The room is a metaphor for poetry, and the furniture made of air and the suite for the soul are examples of imagery. The crowd of people and the different voices are also metaphors, as are the sentences pitched like tents and the floorboards that creak and groan.

The poem also uses repetition, with the phrase "each poem" repeated several times. This repetition emphasizes the diversity of poetry and the different perspectives that it can bring.

In conclusion, "Poetry Before" is a powerful reflection on the power of poetry. It suggests that poetry is a space waiting to be filled, and that it has the power to connect us to our past, present, and future. The poem is rich with metaphors and imagery, and it uses repetition to emphasize the diversity of poetry. Ultimately, "Poetry Before" is a call to action, urging us to tear down the walls and let the words of poetry out.

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