leonardcohenforum.com

When you come to me


When you come to me
from a days work
with a rattled mind
and ten minutes to spare,
I’ll be your listener.

When you come to me
from the kids play
and inconsiderations
from “why do I bother?”
I’ll be your partner

I’m on your side…

When you come to me
from five tasks
me being the sixth
the one between the sheets
I’ll be your performer

When you come to me
from some magazine article
on technique and
experimentation
I’ll be your co-researcher

but,
when you come to me
almost unknowingly
free from concerns
abandoned and powerless
but for your wanting
- when you come to me
quietly, warmly
helplessly wet with anticipation
and slippery with longing
-then,
and only then

You make me
Lover.

Hey Mat, I like that you take the Bridge over troubled water and make the line your own in there = "Im on your side" and also the layout of the verse too

I like your poem, Mat. I am allergic to trying to analyse why I like things. But I can say it partly reminds me of these words of Rumi's:

Those who don't feel this Love
pulling them like a river,
those who don't drink dawn
like a cup of spring water
or take in sunset like supper,
those who don't want to change,

let them sleep.

This Love is beyond the study of theology,
that old trickery and hypocrisy.
If you want to improve your mind that way,

sleep on.

I've given up on my brain.
I've torn the cloth to shreds
and thrown it away.

If you're not completely naked,
wrap your beautiful robe of words
around you,

and sleep.

I did think it was retelling and remixing of Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and Cohen's "I'm Your Man", though it has been fitted into a more domestic context, for which I credit the poet.

We all have thoughts that come from other things. We have to decide which ones we keep and use and call our own.

Well,
one way or another
you have placed me among esteemed company.

Most of it makes very good sense too, which could be a bit of a worry to a less sensitive man than this egoblog.
Thanks for the feedback.

Apart from the "Influences", (the lines that seem to have come from previously occupied space), there is a tussle going on in the man in this poem realising that his lover status morphs to reality only when his woman surrenders to the moment, loses herself /abandons herself to passion. He is delighted thet he is the one who she can abandon herself too.
And without this "abandonment", there are no "Lovers".

It is a theme worth consideration.
Who is it that allows you to both relax and yet fall into passionate abandon?
And who is it that can sustain you in both the mundane and the erotic?

i really enjoyed reading that Mat

a patient man while life overwhelms then
ready to let passion run wild when the time comes

a dream man

MatJames and Henning.
Has a ring to it.....

Great stuff lads....

And the tour begins when???????


Jimmy

Thanks Henning.
We'll have to do a few harmonies (vocals), you and I
and we're there!

Ha.! That you would take the time to create this lovely composition for my poem, is a real compliment and I sincerely appreciate it Henning. Thankyou.

Matj