IF THERE WERE NO PAINTINGS If there were no paintings in the world, Mine would be very important. Same with the songs. Since this is not the case, let us make haste to get in line, Well towards the back. Sometimes I would see a woman in a magazine Humiliated in the technicolour glare. I would try to establish her In happier circumstances. Sometimes a man. Sometimes living persons sat for me. May I say to them again: Thank you for coming to my room. I also loved the objects on the table Such as candlesticks and ashtrays And the table itself. From a mirror on my desk In the very early morning I copied down Hundreds of self-portraits Which reminded me of one thing or another. The Curator has called this exhibition Drawn to Words. I call my work Acceptable Decorations. Remarks for the exhibition catalogue Copyright © 2007 Leonard Cohen. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.