The Secret Chord~by Paul F. Lenzi

 

 

The Secret Chord

Leonard Cohen 1934-2016

(Regarding Leonard Cohen and his final album)

 

we want it darker

so darker he speaks

in that spine-tingling

basso profondo

that crackles and creaks

a sound-chamber crypt

hopeless poetry

killing the flame

of a life aptly slipped

between passion and pain

a personal scripture

a lyrical dirge existential

melodically slain

by a choir-backed

musical hospice

to solemnly comfort a

deep smoky chanting

one powerful word

lifted up in refrain

hineni hineni

the end’s in the room

all is ready each bone

every note unafraid

tilted full at time’s tomb