The Only Poem by Leonard Cohen
when things went wrong I didn't turn to drugs or teaching
Dear friends, we want to wish a happy, hearty birthday to our maestro, LC. Today’s poem is the one our magazine is named after! On that note, we’re also thrilled to share that 2025 Leonard Cohen Poetry Prize (awarding $3500) is now open for submissions!) Send us your poems here →
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
This poem is from The Energy of Slaves (McLelland & Stewart, 1972).
The more I read of Only Poems, the more I understand this poem is (in part) where the name of the journal came from. Your poets are so diverse, yet they have one thing in common. Their poems really are poems that only they could have written.
He did a good job of it too.
"I didnt turn to drugs or teaching" is wonderfully wicked.