The poem
If I forget thee, Jerusalem, Then let my right be forgotten. Let my right be forgotten, and my left remember. Let my left remember, and your right close And your mouth open near the gate.
I shall remember Jerusalem And forget the forest -- my love will remember, Will open her hair, will close my window, will forget my right, Will forget my left.
If the west wind does not come I'll never forgive the walls, Or the sea, or myself. Should my right forget My left shall forgive, I shall forget all water, I shall forget my mother.
If I forget thee, Jerusalem, Let my blood be forgotten. I shall touch your forehead, Forget my own, My voice change For the second and last time To the most terrible of voices -- Or silence.