Leonard Cohen was right

 

 

 

 

Leonard Cohen was right

 

Standing before this microphone

Blank faces stare from cushioned chairs

Jewels sparkle, acting like they’re real

While bow ties just seem sad…it happens

 

Marching to the beat of clicking heels,

Unbuttoned vests as strange eclipsed spotlights

Illumine smoke swirls in overhead rafters

Flowing from my ember’d fingertips

 

And my hair is a mess…but it always is

And I don’t care…do you?

I’d clear my throat but that does no good

Gravel has taken up residence…it pays the rent

 

The room goes dim, the audience worries

Glares spark like steel on asphalt

I can see them clear, slowly fading in anxious doubt

Scratching on some ink pad and dusty sheets…ideas

 

Yet I adore you, I love everything that is you

Need surpasses desire, and I need

My arms long to cling you, crushed against me

Breathing as one, harmonious breath…just thoughts…they come

 

The bass player plucks and that is my cue

Flicking my ashes I begin to read…poetry

And the audience smiles…I am a poet and poetry is cool

Leonard Cohen was right

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i like looking at the audience just before reading some poetry to them...the looks of both trepidation and anticipation..depending on how they feel about poetry...

when i perform with my clarinetist friend...eric....the crowd seems more excited..well they get to hear a world renowned clarinetist play...
i just tag along and read some words.

i don't know about you, but it is odd to read my stuff at poetry jams...it never really feels like it's my stuff...feels more like i am reading unfamiliar words.

[Jack...]

I sort of know what you mean Jacob, but that is a sign of a true poet in my opinion. To read your own words but have them feel like something new, something you've never read before. I do know this feeling. I appreciate you stopping by today.

[Baby Ricochet]

I don't know what Lenard Cohen said but it must have been something about not lending me money

[Jack...]

Yeah, I think that was it...thanks so much my friend for stopping by.

[therisa]

As I read this, I hear Mr Cohen's lyrics, in Jennifer Warner singing, "First, we take Manhattan", transporting me, back to my teen years, when the lyrics meant the world to me. For you have captured the essence of this ex-pat Canadian, perfectly. Thank you, for sharing this very extensional poem, with us.

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much Therisa for your kindness. It is appreciated.

[therisa]

Your welcome.

[MsJewel]

Jack - Just when I think I have picked my favorite "jack" poem - you write something like this and I am completely blown away...

Poetry is cool - as are you my friend. Your poem is brilliant!

:) Julie

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much Julie. I am humbled by your response to this poem and thrilled beyond words that you enjoyed it.

[kublakhan27]

Ah Leonard...one of our most iconic exports, the Jew who became a Zen monk, the alpha male. I like this guy so much that I almost resent him...what I wouldn't do for just a shred of this guy's charisma. And that's the impression I get from reading your piece, though it may be just me superimposing my own feelings onto your words. This is an incredible tribute...you've poetized everything there is to know about him. It's hard for me to focus on specific lines or sections cuz it flows so well. One line jumped out at me right away though: I'd clear my throat but that does no good...have you ever read his first poem? That line is pretty darn close to a line in that piece. Anyways I'll leave the rest of the swooning to Frieda (haha) and just reaffirm my love for this piece, not just as an ode to him, but as a character study in general. Absolute perfection my friend.

[Jack...]

Thanks so very much my friend. It kind of just came to me in a daydream and I, for a few minutes, felt I was inside of his head. I am thrilled you enjoyed this and I always appreciate your kind and flattering reviews.

[Coyote Poetry]

My favorite lines from Cohen is in the song. Joplin talking to Cohen in Chelsea hotel. "I prefer good looking men. It doesn't matter. We are ugly and but we have the song." Thank you for sharing the amazing poem for the Poet of music.
Coyote

[Jack...]

Thank you for your kind words today. This was so much fun to write.

[Lyn Anderson]

Well, you had me at the title. And the sexy gravelly voice.

[Jack...]

Thanks so very much my friend.

[Jack...]

Sorry, hit post too soon. I really do appreciate you stopping by KL. It is good friends like you who make all of this worthwhile.

[K.N. Lorenzen]

A very fine homage to the well-dressed man with the gentle tongue :)
Well penned indeed!

K.

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much for your kind words. I appreciate you stopping by today.

[K.N. Lorenzen]

My pleasure, Jack :)

[Frieda P]

HOLY HALLELUJAH! Woo, I wish you could see my face right now....so cool, I adore this one Jack, you knew it would blow my skirt up, omg, I'm speechless, he's always right, yep! Standing ovation for both of you guys. ;-)

[Jack...]

That was the reaction I was looking for. This just came to me and I climbed inside of him and began to write in a fashion that was inspired by him...at least that is how it felt to me. You my friend are the one who introduced me to him and this poem was written for you. I am more than thrilled you enjoyed and if I wore a skirt...well you know... :)

[Frieda P]

Cohen sings there ain't no cure for love, ain't no cure for poetry either, especially when you combine them all and spin them the way you did Jack, and I'll never tell! ;-)

[Frieda P]

Listening to I'm Your Man right now. ;-)

[Jack...]

I can hear your smile clean down in Texas.

[Frieda P]

Ha I think my face actually cracked. ;-)

[Jack...]

I could've written on that for hours it was so much fun, but I figured no one would read it if it was that long. :)

[Frieda P]

Ha you know I would have................

[Sami Khalil]

This was great Jack. As poets we do breath thoughts as singers breath their lyrics. The audience is a little different but we sing the songs of love and life as well as death. Leonard Cohen was right as you are too...:)...............

[Jack...]

Thanks so much my friend. A very good friend introduced me to this talented man. I kind of tried to step into his body as I wrote this.

[Sami Khalil]

Yep. I like him alot.I wrote Verve on the classic style inspired by his song:" Dance me"...You are welcome...:).............