"The unexamined life is not worth living" Socrates

- - scatterings of ideas sent to my younger self, a sensitive girl who was fooled into believing she was a boy because of anatomy - -

Thursday 24 April 2014

We All Have

Oh my but I do not want to even imagine where I would be without those who know and care because they are there, or have been there.

So this gorgeous afternoon, before resuming work around the house (spring has arrived, finally here in Central Ontario), time to pass along some beauty and thoughtfulness from a friend who personifies those qualities for me.

For those with ears to hear....




In My Secret Life

I saw you this morning.
You were moving so fast.
Can’t seem to loosen my grip
On the past.
And I miss you so much.
And there’s no one in sight.
And we’re still making love
In My Secret Life.

I smile when I’m angry.
I cheat and I lie.
I do what I have to do
To get by.
But I know what is wrong,
And I know what is right.
And I’d die for the truth
In My Secret Life.

Hold on, hold on, my brother.
My sister, hold on tight.
I finally got my orders.
I’ll be marching through the morning,
Marching through the night,
Moving cross the borders
Of My Secret Life.

Looked through the paper.
Makes you want to cry.
Nobody cares if the people
Live or die.
And the dealer wants you thinking
That it’s either black or white.
Thank God it’s not that simple
In My Secret Life.

I bite my lip.
I buy what I’m told:
From the greatest hit,
To the wisdom of old.
But I’m always alone.
And my heart is like ice.
And it’s crowded and cold
In My Secret Life.

words and music by Leonard Cohen

4 comments:

  1. This is one singer I love to listen to. First came across him when watching a nelson Mandella concert on TV. Wishing you well, Halle.

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    1. As I do you Tom. Music has the power to bind us. :-)

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  2. He is 'MY Man'. His music, his 'Selected Poems', his 'Book of Longing', 4 biographies and his two novels 'The Favorite Game' and 'Beautiful Losers' have a special place on my shelves even if the novels reek of smoke and are yellow and not a must read. He walked the streets of the Montreal that I landed in and he also spent exiting summers at a cottage on Mt.Baldy an area which I pass by when driving into the next town. Most of us Cohen junkies walk with canes if still alive.
    Now I'll also think of you Halle when I listen to this song.

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    Replies
    1. As you know music has always been a big part of my life, yet vocal music not so much. For so long deep emotional content was something to avoid. Thank you for pointing the way to more of Cohen's work.

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