Everybody Knows (after Leonard Cohen)

/ moragnoffke

What have you been working on?

Everybody knows I’m working on dreams. 

Everybody knows what I've been working on,
Everybody knows how it grows.
First you knock it down, it's an intervention. 
Then you build it up, and it's a renovation
That's how it goes, that's how it grows. 
Everybody knows that our lives go on, 
everybody body knows, it just goes on and on. 
First you dream it up big, known as castles in the air. 
Then you cut it down to size, that might seem reasonably fair.
That's how it goes, that's how it grows. 
Everybody knows that's how our dreams go on, 
everybody knows it just goes on and on.
Everybody knows what I've been working on, 
I'm pretty sure you've been working too. 
Never too old to cultivate vision, 
while tweaking for some precision. 
Never too young to have the courage, 
while reaching for your wisdom
That's how it goes, that's how it grows. 
Everybody knows to hold onto vision and courage 
Or else precision and wisdom will die
That's how it grows ...or that's how it goes.
We are all working on our futures, building into some dream
It could be a truth or it could be a lie 
But in the end we will all die. 
Hopefully it will be considered 
A constructive life we've lived, 
Give or take a bang or two, 
When we did our renovations 
That's how deconstruction goes, 
And reconstruction grows. 
Everybody knows what I've been working on, 
Everybody knows that is how it goes. 
And if you don't know, don't be shy to ask 
Before it's too late and I'm in a flask. 

That is how it goes, and how it grows. 
Working on dreams.

In answering the prompt I used the same title and some phrases as Leonard Cohen. Some of the rhythm will be familiar to the ear but the topic is the antithesis of Leonard’s. While he was commenting on the breakdown and downfall of society and humanity I am speaking of building into dreams, vision and hope, personally, for my life here on earth.

Sunset over Sea Point, Acrylic on wood off cut by Morag Noffke, 2016
Fiber-art handmade shawl, recycled fiber by Morag Noffke, 2023
The child within: I do believe in fairies, I do, I do; mixed media by Morag Noffke, 2012
Forest Girl: Past, present and future, mixed media, collage and layering, 2012 M Noffke
Warm Heart, mixed media layering technique, 2012, M Noffke.
Experimental Tree, mixed media layering technique, M Noffke, 2012.
In Africa: curios – plastic chicken and wire bicycle, 2003 Making meaning through art.
Collective Junk, mixed media, by Morag Noffke, 2003.

Have a wonderful week and live up to your dreams and expectations.

take care, Morag

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