Before
Before the lottery existed, I never dreamt of winning it every night.
Before I couldn’t live without a mobile phone, I lived without one.
Before I found out the difference between the spellings of their and there, I didn’t care.
Before someone showed me the light, I didn’t know it was dark.
Before I understood religion, I believed in God.
Before I knew responsibilities of being an adult, I didn’t appreciate them.
Before I’d taken drugs, I despised them.
Before I was drunk, she was rough.
Before I knew I was wrong, I thought I was right.
Before I could cook, I ate lots of toast.
Before I got a dog, I preferred cats.
Before they told me I was in a recession, I hadn’t used as an excuse.
(2009)
