Famous Blue Raincoat and More

Leonard Cohen's poetry in song was on the menu at the meeting of The Writers' Circle at Waverley Library last Wednesday evening, January 30. 

Ten poetry lovers listened to the song, followed the words on the sheets handed out by capable workshop leader Paul Gooding and then tried to tackle the big questions such as the theme as well as what Paul called the "mysterious elements." Why exactly does the poet need a plywood violin to "Take Manhattan, then Berlin?" Or a monkey? As for that, how can he be "guided by the birthmark on his skin." Several ideas about these conundrums flew about although, at times, Cohen feels so very mysterious to me that I begin to relate to the drunk in the midnight choir. 

I always wondered about the impetus that caused Cohen to move his poetry into song and sing the songs himself, a brilliant and risky idea, especially for a guy with such a cigarette-scarred voice. Cohen was blessed by timing. He began to publish his books of poems in the sixties, a time when many people became seekers and found in poetry (and all the arts)  life-enhancing and life-changing ideas that spoke to them in a personal way. Cohen's move to music brought him a much wider audience than if he had stuck to just the printed word. 

Poetry Maven Paul Gooding

 

 

Remember me? I used to live for music. Remember me? I brought your groceries in.

L. Cohen

Next meeting of the Writers Circle: February 27, at Waverley, at 7 p.m. All welcome and it is free.  At this meeting participants can share their own poetry or short stories or memoirs.