leonardcohenforum.com

directions for the portrait of the artist

portray me as a grain of salt
left over from a dried out sea.
paint my picture red and blue
on white doors. design the cover
for my unpublished book without a face.

portray me as a broken twig
once part of an enormous tree.
paint my picture black and white
on gray walls. design the stone
for my unopened grave without a date.

portray me as a garden weed
your cleanliness has overlooked.
paint my picture green and green
on green lawns. design the leaves
for my unheard future without a tear.

portray me as a line forgotten,
deleted from a poem by a nought.
paint my picture not at all
on any canvas. design the void
for my unspoken name without a sound.

and then draw me as the sunset
on a western beach. I breathe
this evening air you whistle
and sleep for threescore years
in the vaults of my blank paper.

I like this poem very much tom . I can see you opening your soul and let other see your intimacy. I see the need to show yourself, your dreams and hopes and what you mean is beautifully said.