The Stranger

photograph by anelephantcant

in the night the dreams return
eliminate all scents and flavours
I hear the words of Leonard Cohen
I told you when I came I was a stranger

I live my life as each one must
I stumble in and out of danger
whenever trouble comes I say
I told you when I came I was a stranger

each lady falls under my spell
each thinks she is my saviour
I speak the truth each time I leave
I told you when I came I was a stranger

so now though I am old and grey
I cannot alter my behaviour
love departs and laughs at me
I told you when I came I was a stranger

she of course was different
until I hurt and shamed her
my one defence for all the pain
I told you when I came I was a stranger

now in the night the ghosts return
to remind me how I changed her
I broke her loving heart and lied
I told you when I left you were a stranger