The only poem

This poem, this poet, resonates deeply.

Writing is my saviour and my addiction. Without a creative outlet, I’d drown in emotions: “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.”

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

— Leonard Cohen