leonardcohenforum.com

Note: This is NOT my poem. It is the work of a writer in Zaragoza, Spain named Fernando Sarría, whose blog with the Spanish original is here. He's inspired by Cohen, and alluded to him in this poem. I contacted Sarría on Facebook and asked his permission to translate the poem into English and post it on this forum for what will I hope be the pleasure of the forum members. Anyway.

The one who said of Leonard Cohen that his words were tar
spoke rightly, though without naming at all the limit of the silences of his voice,
that spill over unceasing into the dark remainder of the night.
I hear. I shudder. I think of you,
I want to be in that room again
where you take me so often,
though it's not the Chelsea Hotel
and your dusky hair does not dazzle.
Of your heat, I have left to me the moistness yet to come,
a shipwreck between us two
if we strip away all transcendence.
The afternoon burns and the concave track of the arrow is true;
red and sorrowful, it fades from view between the cardinal points.
Loneliness is the last thing that awaits me;
maybe those songs will bring some light
or will simply make me sketch you again
in the vapor on the windowpanes
where you always leave your red lips.

Very beautiful Helen, thank you for translating (an art itself).

Yes, there is something about Leonard's voice that brings back memories as if they were ghosts still standing with you (almost touchable). Please pass on my appreciation to the poet

Thank you Cate, I'll do so.

You might want to post this in Comments and Questions, too, Helen [for greater readership].
It certainly stands strong as a series of Comments!
Wonderful.
Thanks for translating and then sharing it with us.