Conversation

I see Leonard waving in the distance,
‘You were older before you got here,’ he smiles,
‘this is the land where they make eyes
from ancient butterfly wings,
where you live in the valley of Forever
and make and find brilliant things.’
He shows me his horse
and he shows me the reigns,
‘these are what’s left
of my triumphs and pains’.
I don’t always understand, I say,
where must I go to find my way?
‘She’s always with you,’ he sighs,
‘and she hides in the lines,
she runs with your heart
through deserts and forests and mines.’
Leonard looks to the future
and shows some marks I’ve made,
‘Go build a life with you wife,
learn to use the chisel and the spade,
be gentle, sharpen and sheath your knife,
when you get offered for your soul,
be careful not to get paid.’
Then he gives me a vial
to fill with my laughter
and shows me the shore
and the way to my daughters.

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I have been a fan of Leonard Cohen for a few years now and continue to marvel at his genius in the use of image. I enjoy the pursuit of balance between narrative and image apart from my obvious tendency toward 17 syllables at a time. Ultimately the act (of writing) is still the most important aspect of the affliction.