084-03

Before you date me
Know how old I am
Before the depths were formed
Before a single spring
Carried water
Before the mountains
Were lowered into place
I was there

First of his ways
Older than the dust
You are made of

And what was I doing
Before the beginning?
Playing
Playing before him
Day after day
Delighting in the world
As it rose
And delighting
Of all things
In you

When he set the sky in place
I was beside him
The master worker
The daily delight

He drew the line
Where sea meets shore
And I rejoiced
At every wave
That kept the rule
By dancing against it

Mark this well
You who think seriousness
Is the proof of depth
The oldest thing in creation
After its Maker
Is play
Wisdom laid foundations
Laughing

Whoever builds
Without joy
Is younger than he thinks

And what was I doing
Before the beginning?
Playing
Playing before him
Day after day
Delighting in the world
As it rose
And delighting
Of all things
In you

I was there
Before your first morning
And I have not
Stopped
Playing