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Poetry • by Leo Dragtoe
PLAY AUDIO VERSION: voice of Leo Dragtoe
Boogie Street Minstrel
for Leonard Cohen
I.
If there is a heaven, Leonard
you no doubt have stumbled upon it
body kneeling like a twisted shoelace
skinny suit illuminated by a single strand of light
we breathe in time
time inches forward
bending reverently
at the heavy altar of an ageless longing
within this place where love is free
the gates of mercy open wide
for all to see.
II.
If there is a heaven, Leonard
you no doubt have tasted of its milk & honey
waltzing thru triumphant encores
tongue residing firmly in your cheek
like nothing in the world could be less bleak
than this here life- this broken song-
where every breath
becomes a tomb
becomes a Farewell Tour
within this place where love is blind
the heart is pure
the spirit
unconfined.
III.
If there is a heaven, Leonard
you no doubt have your arm about its waist
skipping thru these stages
with the sweet abandon of a truant child
your golden voice
still driving timid creatures wild
singing thru these stages
with the clear compassion of a summer rain
your golden voice
still driving crazy creatures sane
within this place where love is known
the gates of mercy open wide
to call us home
and the angels are singing
Hallelujah.
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[Distillate © HA&L + Leo Dragtoe | {from the Greek bios} -- the course of a life.]
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