How I Came to Write "Once Upon a Perfect Time"

I had been listening to Leonard Cohen records almost nonstop for a number of days. I found on one of those days that when I wrote lyrics I heard Cohen's voice guiding the writing. I did not copy his cadences or hash around his words, but simply felt guided by the voice and mood. I came out of that session with most of a verse, which I revisited often for five years, changing parts and adding verses, before putting the finishing touches on it. Reading back, there are some changes I ought to make, even now. But, I made the conscious choice to leave it and move on to other work. Here is the last version I wrote:

Once Upon a Perfect Time

Cold yellow walls, chandeliers like diamonds. 
Your body still and silent as a range of ancient tired mountains. 
Attend to me, Love; can you feel it; the sadness in our holy mansion? 
See, the listless ghost of beauty walks these lonely halls 
And the dust of her passing lifts then slowly falls, 
Meeting with your flesh and turning gray and ashen. 
You look upon her the way any prisoner looks upon the warden, 
Then wilt inside your tiny cell, for you know full well there will be no pardon. 
Will you sit with me; rise up My Love; come out into the garden. 
The sun will be shining there as I comb out your tangled hair 
And braid it into a rope the size and length you wore it as a maiden. 

Ah, every star`s a wishing star; 
Dream you`re my princess; you are. 
It was once upon a perfect time, 
Your eyes were cast on mine. 
Your hair descended like a jacob`s ladder. 
I climbed into your den. 
We lay down in perfect zen. 
But now the forces of destiny gather. 

And your body is cold, though the sun`s ablaze like diamonds. 
My soul aches for you, My Love, even as it roves to look for future mansions. 
We are betrayed by time and death, dear Murdered Rose. I must burn this house of pretensions. 
The dogs of loss sniff outside the door impatiently, 
Smell your flesh so sweet. Don`t feel hate for me 
As I spill upon the floor in floods the gasoline, don`t mention 
How your magic gave to me selfish love, oh bird in detention. 
See the flames embrace the timbers and lace, then hug the lovely statue in the garden. 
As I haste to leave, Good-bye, My Love, I know a mansion afar that`s waiting. 
Animals dance without care for the sleeping maiden there 
Whose love is a golden award for the one invading. 

And every star`s a wishing star; 
Dream you`re my princess; you are, 
Every once upon a time, 
Every once upon a perfect time. 
See her on the bed asleep, My Love. 
See; she lies so still and pure; 
Our love will be cement and sure, 
This one more once upon a perfect time.