March 21 is World Poetry Day.
When I travel, one of the first things I pack is a book of poems. Reading poetry in a different city is always a magical experience to me.
To celebrate World Poetry Day this year, I would like to share a Leonard Cohen poem with you.
Why Leonard Cohen? Because it is here in his hometown of Montreal, more precisely at McGill University, that Cohen discovered a vibrant local “boho-literary” haven for young poets. Since his very first poems, Cohen’s work has largely been influenced by life in Montreal.
So here’s a small offering to you, on World Poetry Day, from Leonard’s second volume of poems, The Spice Box of Earth, published in 1961.
I Wonder How Many People
I wonder how many people in this city
live in furnished rooms.
Late at night when i look out at the buildings
I swear I see a face in every window
looking back at me
and when I turn away
I wonder how many go back to their desks
and write this down.
