leonardcohenforum.com

Tsunami

i shall not sing this wave, i shall not mourn
the dead uncounted yet, i shall not join the choir
of media amplified voices that draw
their profit from this hurt. i shall not judge
the god that raised this single flood.
all words are trite, and all conclusions
insult the victims. i dare not sing.

i dare not raise my voice, i dare not say
how deeply wounded the continent is
that lost these pieces. i dare not speak
to the straying survivors on the beach,
i dare not pray for the coral bones.
prayers are trite, and hope is a tale
to soothe our children. i cannot sing.

i cannot hope my lines could ease, i cannot see
a way to foster help and empathy
by shallow words. i cannot praise a Lord
relaxing in heavenly easy chairs, when shrieks
of fear still fill my ears and still my brain.
thoughts are trite, and yet i cannot stop
thinking i lost a friend. i shall not sing.

Dear Tom ~

Thank you so much for your words and acknowledgement of our inadequacies regarding this devastation. I've been living very close to tears these past days, and like one news report or another, your poem has caused them to fall. Your insight and profound observations express many, deeper truths abiding inside of this incomprehensible time. Thank you so much.

Love,
Elizabeth