An inch of star...

Leonard Cohen

THE WAY BACK

But I am not lost
any more than leaves are lost
or buried vases
This is not my time
I would only give you second thoughts

I know you must call me traitor
because I have wasted my blood
in aimless love
and you are right
Blood like that
never won an inch of star

You know how to call me
although such a noise now
would only confuse the air
Neither of us can forget
the steps we danced
the words you streched 
to call me out of dust

Yes I long for you
not just as a leaf for wheather
or vase for hands
but with a narrow human longing
that makes a man refuse 
any fields but his own

I wait for you at an 
unexpected place in your journey
like the rusted key
or the feather you do not pick up
until the way back 
after it is clear
the remote and painful destination
changed nothing in your life




GIFT

You tell me that silence 
is nearer to peace than poems
but if for my gift
I brought you silence
(for I know silence)
you would say
    This is not silence
this is another poem
and you would hand it back to me.




IF IT BE YOUR WILL

If it be your will
that I speak no more,
and my voice be still
as it was before;
I will speak no more,
I shall abide until
I am spoken for,
if it be your will.

If it be your will
that a voice be true,
from this broken hill
I will sing to you.
From this broken hill
all your praises they shall ring
if it be your will
to let me sing.

If it be your will,
if there is a choice,
let the rivers fill,
let the hills rejoice.
Let your mercy spill
on all these burning hearts in hell,
if it be your will
to make us well.
And draw us near
and bind us tight,
all your children here
in their rags of light;
in our rags of light,
all dressed to kill;
and end this night,
if it be your will.