Villanelle for Our Time
Rising from Bitter Hearts: Leonard Cohen's Poetic Call to Renewal
Lyrics
From bitter searching of the heart,
Intense introspection or profound exploration of emotions and experiences.
Quickened with passion and with pain
Heightened by strong emotions and suffering.
We rise to play a greater part.
We strive to fulfill a more significant role or purpose in life.
This is the faith from which we start:
Our starting point is a belief or confidence in this principle.
Men shall know commonwealth again
A hope for a return to a society where people value community and shared resources.
From bitter searching of the heart.
Repeated emphasis on intense self-reflection and emotional exploration.
We loved the easy and the smart,
We once favored what was effortless and clever.
But now, with keener hand and brain,
Now, with increased acuity of mind and skill, we engage.
We rise to play a greater part.
We are committed to playing a more significant role.
The lesser loyalties depart,
Smaller, less significant allegiances or commitments fade away.
And neither race nor creed remain
Divisions based on race or creed become irrelevant or diminish.
From bitter searching of the heart.
Continued emphasis on deep self-examination.
Not steering by the venal chart
Not guided by a corrupt moral compass used for personal benefit.
That tricked the mass for private gain,
We strive for a collective purpose, not deceived by selfish motives.
We rise to play a greater part.
Our commitment is to a more significant contribution to society.
Reshaping narrow law and art
We aim to reform restrictive laws and cultural expressions.
Whose symbols are the millions slain,
These laws and symbols have caused immense suffering.
From bitter searching of the heart
Reiteration of deep emotional exploration and self-reflection.
We rise to play a greater part.
Continued commitment to playing a more meaningful role in society.
Comment