On The Death Of Friends In Childhood

On The Death Of Friends In Childhood

by Donald Justice

We shall not ever meet them bearded in heaven

Nor sunning themselves among the bald of hell;

If anywhere, in the deserted schoolyard at twilight,

forming a ring, perhaps, or joining hands

In games whose very names we have forgotten.

Come memory, let us seek them there in the shadows.

Chase Kowalski, Age 7

Leonard Cohen in performance 1970

Most great songwriters are not too bad poets. Leonard Cohen is much better than that. 

Suzanne

Leonard Cohen poses some general all purpose questions while Sonny Rollins brings the fire.

I would not necessarily invite Leonard "His Dourness" Cohen to a Cavalcade of Rock party, but if I had to choose among the greatest musical lyricists of my lifetime, he would be on the very short list. And, of course, or in case you missed him, Sonny Rollins is one of the very greatest players in the history of jazz and known as The Saxophone Colossus for a reason. In this performance, Sonny brings Lenny the fire. 

God is Alive, magic is afoot

The lyrics to "God is Alive; Magic is Afoot" first appeared as a passage in Leonard Cohen's novel, Beautiful Losers. I first read it when I was sixteen on a bus from wherever I came from to wherever I was going. 

Other than that it was enormously moving, I had no idea what to make of it at the time. Maybe I still don't. But Buffy Sainte Marie sure sounds like she did.

I think it must be said that when all the lyrics to all the tunes have been sung, Leonard Cohen can stake a viable claim to being as great a songsmith, poet and singer as at least one other similarly aged ethnic child of the North Country.

HL 12-30-11

Let us share an exquisite moment

Let us share an exquisite moment with Leonard Cohen