Thursday, October 21, 2010

from the Archives: The Trinity - Part 11















You who question souls, and you to whom souls must answer,
do not cut off the soul of my son on my account. Let the strength
of his childhood lead him to you, and the joy of his body stand
him upright in your eyes. May he discern my prayer for him, and
to whom it is uttered, and in what shame. I received the living
waters and I held them in a stagnant pool. I was taught but Idid
not teach. I was loved but Idid not love. I weakened the name that
spoke me, and I chased the light with my own understanding.
Whisper in his ear. Direct him to a place of learning. Illuminate
his child’s belief in mightiness. Rescue him from those who want
him with no soul, who have their channels in the bedrooms of the
rich and poor, to draw the children into death. Let him see me
coming back. Allow us to bring forth oursouls together to make a
place for your name. If I am too late, redeem my yearning in his
heart, bless him with a soul that remembers you, that he may
uncover it with careful husbandry They who wish to devour him
have grown powerful on my idleness. They have a number for
him, and a chain. Let him see them withered in the light of your
name. Let him see their dead kingdom from the mountain of
your word. Stand him up upon his soul, bless him with the truth
of manhood.

Leonard Cohen

1 comment:

Athos said...

Many of us fathers second Cohen's words regarding our own sons - though it would be more comforting to know if he continued to stand by them and does so to present.