"The
candles burned, the moon went down
the
polished hill, the milky town
transparent,
weightless, luminous,
uncovering
the two of us
on
that fundamental ground,
where
love's unwilled, unleashed, unbound
and
half the perfect world is found"
Leonard Cohen
Book of Longing
So
sad to hear of the death of Leonard Cohen, such an inspirational and talented
writer, poet and musician (and the other great love of my life!)
Thank you, dear Marianne.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful and speaks for itself, I think, Frances x
DeleteThoughtful words ♥
ReplyDeleteHe wrote some beautiful poems, as well as songs. Such an artist.
DeleteThat is such a lovely poem. Thank you for posting
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourites, Molly
DeleteSo, so saddened by the news of Leonard Cohen's passing. I spent all weekend watching documentaries on this amazing man, interviews throughout the years, pre monastery, post monastery, listening to his repertoire, as well as people's stories about him, lucky enough to have met the man in person.
ReplyDelete'Half the Perfect World' became an instant favourite of mine when I first heard it performed by Madeleine Peyroux.
A true gentleman, he will be greatly missed for his talent, his generosity, his kindness, his creativity, his charm, and his clarity.
Here is a short video of the artist revisiting his home on Hydra. This is where he first felt truly inspired and vibrant. The light in Greece, he has said, is like no other light in the world, for one can truly see oneself for what he is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD8pe7Iwwb0
And speaking of light, one of his most famous refrains from a song called 'Anthem', which has gone completely viral this past week, speaks volumes on life, and the human condition:
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
Take care, Marianne,
Poppy
Thank you for this Poppy. So good to hear from another devotee of Leonard Cohen, writer, poet, singer, performer, philosopher, lover and all round amazing human being. Someone who spoke to so many hearts and minds. Strangely enough I came across an article about holidaying in Hydra and was talking about taking a trip soon with my husband on the Monday he died. We will visit.
DeleteThank you too for the video clip which I shall look forward to watching later today, chores done. The lines from Anthem are lovely and have always been some of my favourites. So many beautiful lines.
Sending you love, Poppy
Marianne xx
Leonard spoke to so many.
ReplyDeleteHe truly was a troubadour for our times and much missed.
DeleteOne of my all time favourites, I think I have every one of his songs, now on my phone etc. rather than record, cassette or cd. That means I carry him around with me everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI carry him around with me too Friko, in my head, in my heart, on CD or Sonos. My poor husband!!
Delete