leonardcohenforum.com

The lonely supper

Such a lonely supper...
all my friends are eating
communing, our last meeting
why can’t they see
I’m only me
in tune with thee?

such a lonely supper...
glancing around the room now
hope I’m dreaming somehow
Peter you’ll deny me
before the cock crows three
regretfully

such a lonely supper
time moves on so swiftly
Judas sits there stiffly
why must it be
my friends betray me
thoughtlessly?

such a lonely supper...
me, enlightened poet
this cup, I’d love to throw it!
for I see my tomb
my second womb
rebirth for whom?

such a lonely supper:
I break the bread and drink
my hungry soul sinks
consuming bonds with earth
and right now I curse
re-birth!

hiding here tonight
lambs full with fright
fattening myth for man
some eternal plan
damn!

where is my Magdelene?
wish she’d wash my feet again
and send the men fumin’
she knows I’m human
Ahh, what a woman...!




Such a lonely supper...
Pharisees are scheeming
soon they’ll come screaming
I’ve heard them call
“we’ll wrap you in a shawl”
writing’s on the wall

men make me weary
doubtful and dreary
feel so alone
cold to the bone
wish I was home...

I know where it’s at
Christ! I’ve tried to tell ‘em that
but they’re addicted to rules
brains like mules
bloody fools

were my efforts all a waste?
life's sour vinegar taste
what a place
this human race
disgrace...

such a lonely supper...
and what shall I say
this final day?

"la’ma sabach-tha ni?" (why hast thou forsaken me?)
"I commend my soul to thee"
or "it’s finished", and I’m free.

Mat James.

I love the uniqueness of your approach with this, Mat, and the way you wielded your power with words to express exactly what you wanted... in The Lord's Lament.


~ Lizzy

Dare I suggest that the recent discussions inspired you to write this poem, Mat? If so then they were worth it. I particularly like the last line and to that I can relate. Thank you.

Sarah

"la’ma sabach-tha ni? (why hast thou forsaken me?)
I commend my soul to thee
or "it’s finished", and I’m free."

To the 'voice' of this piece, you have found 'Man' and God merging into Spirit. A rare gift. Perhaps you have searched for Him until He found you?

You never cease to amaze Mat! Constantly coming up with something new and innovative, very spirited; and the edgy "I want to go home" Jesus - right on! A really inspirational piece, I bet when JC and God are through playing air hockey and get a chance to read it they'll do a Hi5. Cheers, and thanks again!

Thanks, Lizzy.

The Lord's Lament

It is rather a lamentation, or threnody, and a different perspective on the guy who paraphrased "The Lords Prayer". You make an intriguing point.

Sarry, you are close when you suggest:

Dare I suggest that the recent discussions inspired you to write this poem, Mat

.
I wrote the poem many years ago (I was 27 yrs old I think). However, reading your poem and thread reminded me of it, so I dug it up and posted it. So thanks for the inspiration to re-visit youthful perspectives.

Byron,

Perhaps you have searched for Him until He found you?

Is there any other "Way"???
Something found me! and I see that something in the spiritual poems of every culture, hence my love of Leonard and other poets of mystery/mystical/metaphisical/ and of us strugglers on this site.

Jiminy C, I have felt the

edgy

side of the poet, Jesus.C. for a long time; I think this vulnerability and deep humanity is what attracts me to this lovely Jewish poet.
He empathises to his peril and he points out a way to connect, and, he bleeds as he prays.
Such passion is rare among men and maybe less rare among women (and a good example to all).

What I like about this Jewish poet is; rather than running away from suffering, he met it head on.
If he had lived a bit longer, perhaps he would have wisened up a bit like the Buddha, and taken a more "softly, softly" approach. Who knows?
but it is the stuff of poetry, and hence my poem above is a tribute to the guy.

where is my Magdelene?
wish she’d wash my feet again
and send the men fumin’
she knows I’m human
Ahh, what a woman...

I think this verse above is very much a Leonard Cohen perspective, though thankfully, I wrote it before I was aware of him and his work.

Thanks to you all for your appreciative, thoughtful and sensitive responses

Mat.

I apologise I should of taken more time and precision to express my appreciation of your work, I've since reread my comment and become quite convinced you'd not be able to gleam from it my enthusiasm for this great peice of writing.

I also want to express my fondness of your term "the Jewish poet" for obvious enough reasons.

On a final note (its a scorpio thing) I would of liked to of seen at least one further option to your poll, my idea was "Lets get this right, even if it takes 4000 years".

Thank you again, this mad scrawler doth love the stuff you post.
Sincerely,
James.