Do Not Say The Moment Was Imagined

when suddenly, at midnight, you hear
an invisible procession going by
with exquisite music, voices,
don’t mourn your luck that’s failing now,
work gone wrong, your plans
all proving deceptive--don’t mourn them uselessly.
as one long prepared, and graced with courage,
say goodbye to her, the Alexandria that is leaving.
above all, don’t fool yourself, don’t say
it was a dream, your ears deceived you:
don’t degrade yourself with empty hopes like these.
as one long prepared, and graced with courage,
as is right for you who were given this kind of city,
go firmly to the window
and listen with deep emotion, but not
with the whining, the pleas of a coward;
listen--your final delectation--to the voices,
to the exquisite music of that strange procession,
and say goodbye to her, to the Alexandria you are losing.

--Constantine Cavafy
The God Abandons Antony

Leonard Cohen / Sharon Robinson: Alexandra Leaving

suddenly the night has grown colder
the god of love preparing to depart
Alexandra hoisted on his shoulder
they slip between the sentries of the heart

upheld by the simplicities of pleasure
they gain the light, they formlessly entwine
and radiant beyond your widest measure
they fall among the voices and the wine

it's not a trick, your senses all deceiving
a fitful dream, the morning will exhaust
say goodbye to Alexandra leaving
then say goodbye to Alexandra lost

even though she sleeps upon your satin
even though she wakes you with a kiss
do not say the moment was imagined
do not stoop to strategies like this

as someone long prepared for this to happen
go firmly to the window, drink it in
exquisite music Alexandra laughing
your firm commitments tangible again

and you who had the honor of her evening
and by that honor had your own restored
say goodbye to Alexandra leaving
Alexandra leaving with her lord

even though she sleeps
upon your satin
even though she wakes you
with a kiss
do not say the moment
was imagined
do not stoop
to strategies like this

as someone long prepared
for the occasion
in full command
of every plan you wrecked
do not choose
a coward's explanation
that hides behind
the cause and the effect


and you who were bewildered by a meaning
whose code was broken, crucifix uncrossed
say goodbye to Alexandra leaving
then say goodbye to Alexandra lost

say goodbye to Alexandra leaving
then say goodbye to Alexandra lost

--Leonard Cohen / Sharon Robinson

9/29/12