Mr. Cohen Made Me Cry

[ryanvancouver]

Cohen Made Me Cry

The first I heard him I was 9, I watched out the window glazed in frost
So cold a prairie night, I will never forget scratching the ice off from the inside.
If I had a dollar for every night I spent reflecting on his bared cross
I’d have dollars I’d not have lost in liquid, scratching the ice off from inside.
Mr Cohen made me cry.

The politics and religion most dread to tread upon
I hear in his strong whisper, baritone, rasp, breaking every rule of rhyme
It’s like the drug I’ve not yet tried, the lover who has me tied
Its like the lips I’ve not yet kissed, however they have kissed mine
Mr Cohen made me sigh

There are no dirty words he once said to a crowd
While his words touch my deepest pain, they too make me laugh out loud
His wisdom cannot be nut-shelled like a descriptor for dialogue
His wit, dare, and honesty in his work makes me feel over powered
Mr. Cohen doesn’t lie…….unless he’s telling you the truth before your eyes

I recall being 14 sitting alone in my dark room Writing lines as I strummed out a quiet tune
I guess I was too loud, mom came and took my guitar But I kept writing despite the bruise

Years later unable to identify with anyone possessing a mental darkness like mine
I turned on my radio and heard is voice, it was just like the first time
So I put the blade & asprin down, I decided to change my mind
Though Id never be as great as him, his prose reminds me I do not need to rhyme

Mr Cohen I almost gave up, I didn’t in the knick of time
Mr Cohen, thank you for all these years you’ve shared with so many minds like mine
Mr Cohen, though unknowingly you showed me I need to try.

There is an ebb and flow to life, a rhythm unbroken
Words need not rhyme, we are flowers, through dirt we must grow
It’s not for me to question, I won’t ask, I just know angels have joyous tears to cry
I know I’ll find my answer when I join the poets free of smoke and whiskey
When I get to that tower of song you speak of in the sky……

Thank you Mr Cohen, You’ve made a proud man humbled
Thank you Mr Cohen, you were the first poet who made me cry….


©2009 Ryan Alexander Jarman

[Steven]

Ryan,

Thank you Ryan for posting your poem. You know the power of great art to
reach the inside and do its magic. You've expressed that well, with this poem.
Glad you didn't give up and that now you can continue to make things better and better
for yourself and others, through your own art and living. Go for it.

With appreciation,
Steven

[lizzytysh]

Hi Ryan ~

I agree with all that Steven said. Two beautiful admissions... near-suicide and real tears. Thank you for your openness in sharing. I'm glad that Leonard's music came on the radio at just the right, fortuitous or pre-destined, moment in your life.

Your first verse brought tears to my own eyes.


~ Lizzy

[ryanvancouver]

Steven and Lizzy,

Thank you for your appreciation. It was not an easy one to share, but cathartic. Thank you for reading...and hearing.

Ryan