Garrulous Excess Canonized
by Michael Doyle

The poet fought against fame again
Thinking only of peace found in Zen
Seeking quiet life in a monastery 
But the truth faced turned out contrary

Death on two legs stole no small amount
Leaving Cohen with nothing in his account
This is the ethics of jaded Hollywood
The essence of fame as it's understood

Emotions felt across the generational divide
Images become darker as reality starts to collide
The dealer deals the hand played out as a game
In need of a healer, the star was broken and lame

Canonized for dying a deity's death
Unwanted fans sang along to his last breath
Watching angels fall gave him his insight
Struggling creatures still seek the light

Garrulous excess sketches a beautiful symphony
Of a life lived never expecting any sympathy
Forced into the role of the archangel turned star
While simply bending words blended with guitar

Emotions felt across the generational divide
Images become darker as reality starts to collide
The dealer deals the hand played out as a game
In need of a healer, the star was broken

Over and over, he slipped away from stardom unseduced
He was never caught up in the demanded numbers produced
Carefully guarding his muse, he disallowed from being reduced
However much others wished the poet might be induced

On the shelf stands a catalog of songs of experience
Ordinary enough, though expressed as if sedated preference
Hid a secret wealth of private failures stacked tall
Of which his heart's song played out as he simply recalled

Emotions felt across the generational divide
Images become darker as reality starts to collide
The dealer deals the hand played out as a game
In need of a healer, the star was broken

(c) September 30, 2024   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved