Yehuda+Amichai

Yehuda Amichai

//28. Before// *Each sentence of the poem begins with the word 'before.' The poem can be grouped into four 3-line sections, where the first line of each section has a capitalizes 'before.' Also the lines within each section rhymes. *The poem's diction connotes a finality, and closure. The 'closed' gate, the 'last' question,' the 'covered' flute-holes and a 'conclusion' that has been planned. *There is also a sense of rejection in the situation proposed. There is to be 'no more pardons' and the 'God has closed his hands.' In the end, 'we have nowhere to stand.' *The purpose of the poem is to tell the readers to save the situation before it is too late, before there is no turning back. *Yehuda Amichai is perhaps warning his readers what the humans are doing nowadays will eventually lead to the consequences listed, therefore, it is crucial for us to stop continuing to go down this destructive path before it is too late.

//29. A Pity, We Were Such a Good Invention// *The poem begins with descriptions of brutal separations of two people. They were 'amputated' and 'dismantled,' yet, the speaker calls the people 'surgeons' and 'engineers. These titles are very ironic since surgeons and engineers are suppose to be menders and builders. They are meant to heal things and put them back together instead of tearing them apart. *The first two stanzas of the poem have the same structure, both are accusing 'them' of the inhumane separation that is forced upon the "man and wife". The repetitive structure serves to emphasizes the brutality as well as their helplessness facing the situation. * The speaker describes his relationship with his wife as an 'loving invention,' they had 'wings,' 'hovered above the Earth,' and even 'flew a little.' This description contains elements of fantasy, which could imply a relationship that was very spiritually strong, but was not able to withstand the harsh reality of the real world. *The surgeons and the engineers can be perceived as a symbol for reality, who tears the couple apart and bring them back down to reality.

//30. I Want to Die in My Own Bed// *The speaker chooses to end each stanza with 'I want to die in my own bed.' This is an interesting structural feature, although the lines of each stanza varies, it allows each to echo the title, and perhaps create a sense of uniformity and union. *Yehuda Amichai frowns upon the encouragement given to war. He describes how the sun is 'forever' 'willing to illuminate those waging battle and killing.' *The poem makes a biblical allusion to Samson, a hero who was granted supernatural strength so that he can combat his enemies and gain victory. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">*The speaker compares his strength to Samson's, using hair as a measure, saying Samson found strength in his 'own black hair,' whereas his was 'sheared' when he was made a 'hero.' This description perhaps emphasizes the unnaturalness of his strength, he is 'taught' to charge and was 'made' a hero. This differs from Samson, who received his power as a gift from God. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">*The speakers will of dying in his own bed is so strong that he doesn't mind 'to die alone' or 'to be dead,' as long as he dies in his own bed. His gives a sense of belonging, it may symbolize his homeland. Signifying that he is against the war, and would rather die alone in a place that he belongs to.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">//31. A Dog After Love// <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">*A Dog After Love is a poem consisting of two quatrains, describing a man's actions shortly after a heartbreak. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">*Shortly after the departure of his lover, the speaker 'let a dog smell at' his 'chest' and 'belly,' so the scent may help him track her down. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">*In the second stanza, the speaker uses explicit language to describe what he wishes will happen to her new lover. The disturbing language adequately presents the speaker's anger as a result of the breakup. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">*Here the 'dog' is a symbol of the anger and wrath experienced by the speaker. It may even be hatred, or the motivation to carryout revenge.