Ode To Leonard

You who transcend the shallow depths
Of commercial rants and ravings
You who labour, out of love
To satisfy your honourable cravings

Though some of you have fallen
At the alter that you serve
And further true, that so few of you
Have found what you deserve

For to be what you are and not what you aren't
To produce what it is and not what it wasn't
Is your only sin, your only failing
The muse of 'The Label', a banshees wailing
In your depths of despair, the weak and the strong
In your gardens of Eden your towers of song

Stay true my friends, transfixed in thought
Creative in your vision
Let not the chains of commerce
Bend your knees, in indecision

To work for pay, is not your way
Be paid for work you're doing
Enrich the World, with poem and song
Though that be your undoing

For to be what you are and not what you aren't
To produce what it is and not what it wasn't
Is your only sin, your only failing
The muse of 'The Label', a banshees wailing
In your depths of despair, the weak and the strong
In your gardens of Eden your towers of song
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Lamoureux Avatar
December 25, 2017 at 8:32 AM
You have excellent taste! Great tribute to Leonard. He turned Suffering into an art form.
Walsh Avatar
December 27, 2017 at 2:01 PM
Indeed he did Rich. . . a beautiful mind . . . he suffered for his art and was artful for his suffering. . .
Breidenthal Avatar
January 25, 2015 at 4:08 AM
A most beautiful tribute....love the repetition of the last lines...this poem sings...Always, Laura
Walsh Avatar
February 7, 2015 at 4:00 AM
Have a great day ....Pete
Walsh Avatar
December 31, 2014 at 7:45 AM
A tribute to a great writer, poet, singer, hard to believe that an album of the calibre VARIOUS POSITIONS was said by Columbia Records to be unmarketable and not released in Northern America on completion and HALLELUJAH not seen for the song it was... Lawyers in suits with commercial interests solely and no creativity... God Bless Kristofferson, Dylan, Waylon, and Janis to name but a few who stand out from the crowd.....
Andresen Avatar
December 31, 2014 at 7:36 AM
- A great ode poem, Peter !!! - HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
Walsh Avatar
December 31, 2014 at 9:03 AM
Happy new year to you Anne-Lise!!!xo
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