From The Writer’s Almanac
It’s the birthday of poet, novelist and songwriter Leonard Cohen, born in Montreal, Canada (1934). He’s the author of many books of poetry, including Let Us Compare Mythologies (1956) and Death of a Ladies’ Man (1978), and novels such as Beautiful Losers (1966).
He learned to play guitar at a socialist summer camp when he was a teenager, but at the time he only used the guitar to get girls. He was more interested in poetry, and by the early 1960’s he was considered one of Canada’s most promising young poets. Then in 1966, the folksinger Judy Collins heard some of his songs, which he had written and performed only for friends, and she persuaded him to perform in public and make a record. He’s been recording music ever since.
His most famous song is “Suzanne” from Songs of Leonard Cohen (1968). It goes, “Now Suzanne takes your hand / And she leads you to the river / She is wearing rags and feathers / From Salvation Army counters / And the sun pours down like honey / On our lady of the harbour / And she shows you where to look / Among the garbage and the flowers.”
Leonard Cohen wrote, “As our eyes grow accustomed to sight they armour themselves against wonder.”
So much can be said about Leonard Cohen. No one mixes lust and biblical mysticism better. Happy Birthday and thank you. mjh