Leonard Cohen 1934-2016
(Regarding Leonard Cohen and his final album)
we want it darker
so darker he speaks
in that spine-tingling
basso profondo
that crackles and creaks
a sound-chamber crypt
hopeless poetry
killing the flame
of a life aptly slipped
between passion and pain
a personal scripture
a lyrical dirge existential
melodically slain
by a choir-backed
musical hospice
to solemnly comfort a
deep smoky chanting
one powerful word
lifted up in refrain
hineni hineni
the end’s in the room
all is ready each bone
every note unafraid
tilted full at time’s tomb
Poesy plus Polemics 
A wonderful wonderful poem and tribute. You are a remarkable poet and humanitarian Paul.
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Ditto.
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much appreciated, jeni
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thank you most dearly, joanna – you are much too kind
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Masterfully put, Paul. Another great musical loss this year.
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Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Still haunts me every time I hear it . . .
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Great words, powerful tribute, loved it. 🙂
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appreciate that very much, elaine
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😉
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Thank you Paul. It is worthy of him. I am extra sad because having lost all my hearing I have missed out on quite a few of his albums, let alone this last one.
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so sorry for your affliction – his words live as vibrantly on the page as they do in the song
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A wonderful tribute.
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much appreciated, vee
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My pleasure Paul. Blessings and peace. 😊✌
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Subjective I know. The finest poet who ever lived. Flowers for Hitler; Beautiful Losers plus the rest, and more lyrical, reflective achievements than any who have adored women could get near to, let alone surpass. From my teens, to my dotage my respect goes to Leonard. RIP.
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we are fortunate to have been of his era
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I should add, I purchased the new album the day it was released. Circumstance (namely a lack of peace and quiet) determined I could not listen until this sad day…in the little gym we have at the back of the house…worth the wait.
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recorded from the edge of the grave – a veritable tour de force
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splendid tribute. i can hear him now:
I said to Hank Williams, how lonely does it get?
Hank Williams hasn’t answered yet
But I hear him coughing all night long
Oh, a hundred floors above me in the Tower of Song
I was born like this, I had no choice
I was born with the gift of a golden voice
And twenty-seven angels from the Great Beyond
They tied me to this table right here in the Tower of Song
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an artist for the ages
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indeed
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I’m blown away by this! Very well done! Also a touching tribute. 🙂
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many thanks for your thoughtful comment
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So many gifts he gave to us. Thanks for sharing this.
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there were times I felt he was inside my head
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You were lucky to get him. So was I.
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The poet always moved to the pen
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one of the best
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Beautiful tribute to a much missed poet.
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much appreciated
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Loved Leonard, wonderful tribute.
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