Artwork: Robin Rhode, *Bird on Wires*, film still of performance, Berlin, 2025

Contemporary artist Robin Rhode recently did one of his wall drawing, performance installations called Bird on Wires in Berlin, Germany, where he currently lives. Made me think of Leonard Cohen’s song Bird on the Wire. So here are Leonard’s lyrics paired with Rhode’s artwork.

Like a bird on the wire,
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
Like a worm on a hook,
Like a knight from some old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee.
If I, if I have been unkind,
I hope that you can just let it go by.
If I, if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you.

Like a baby, stillborn,
Like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out for me.
But I swear by this song
And by all that I have done wrong
I will make it all up to thee.
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
He said to me, "You must not ask for so much."
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,
She cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"

Oh like a bird on the wire,
Like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free.