Cinema Song

Who was that under the marquee?
Who came to me in the midnight sun?
Was it you, wrapped in a blanket?
Was it you, hoping for the dawn?

Who came to me with large watching eyes?
Who watched me shiver in the winter wind?
Was it you in that wiretapped cinema?
Was it you reading subtitles as a child's hymn?

Who was it who wept on my shoulder?
Who watched the heroine disappear?
Was it you, draped in the midnight?
Was it you, sitting with me there?

Were you mercy, my love?
Were you life?
Have I found you, my love?
Have I laughed?

Were you always my love?
And was I not quite close?
Have I known you, my love?
Is this one life enough?

From the 70s during a period where I wrote a number of rhymed and metered pieces. This is more successful than I remembered it. I'm not sure of the movie, but I am thinking it may have been Jean Luc Godard's Breathless. This piece reflects both Leonard Cohen's songs, and Jacques Brel, the Belgian singer/songwriter. Those unfamiliar with Brel should try and find the broadway cast album of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. The songs are dark, funny, bitter, romantic and beautiful phrased.