my mother is not dead - leonard cohen

My Mother Is Not Dead
by Leonard Cohen


My mother isn't really dead.

Neither is yours.

I'm so happy for you.

You thought your mother was dead,

And now she isn't.

What about your father?

Is he well?

Don't worry about any of your relatives.

Do you see the insects?

One of them was once your dog.

But do not try to pat the at.

It will be destroyed by your awkward affection.

The tree is trying to touch me.

It used to be an afternoon.

Mother, mother,

I don't have to miss you any more.

Rover, Rover, Rex, Spot,

Here is the bone of my heart.