Legendary poet, songwriter, novelist, and musician, Leonard Cohen died in November 2016. Known for his melancholy tones, as well as his thought-provoking and deeply emotive writings, Cohen’s work often conveyed the depth and authenticity of the human experience. His piece The Only Poem speaks directly to despondent readers, offering them compassion and hope through their darkness.

The Only Poem

This is the only poem
I can read
I am the only one
can write it
I didn’t kill myself
when things went wrong
I didn’t turn
to drugs or teaching
I tried to sleep
but when I couldn’t sleep
I learned to write
I learned to write
what might be read
on nights like this
by one like me

Image Credit
Feature: Rama – Own Work, at Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons