Yesterday, November 10, 2016, I saw the news that one of my favourite Canadian poets, novelists, singer-songwriters, Leonard Cohen died at the age of 82 years.
The first song I heard of his, if I recall correctly, was Suzanne, when it came out in the 1960s. It was, in a sense, a revelation of what would be for him more to come, with the ever-pervasive motifs of sexual love and spiritual love, sometimes contradicting one another and at other times in a holistic and holy unity. Indeed, in some pundit circles, Cohen was dubbed 'a ladies man,' to which he responded that if that was the case, then why did he spend so many nights lonely and alone? Interesting though that he had two children, a boy and a girl, but he never married.
With poetic flair his lyrics spoke volumes not only biographically, but universally. In his most recent album, I like the ponderous turns of phrase in the title track You Want It Darker-especially 'Hineni, I am ready my LORD,' appropriate words to speak or sing at the end of one's life, me thinks. Give it a listen.
Rest eternal grant Leonard Cohen LORD, and may your blessed Shalom surround him.
