New Poem

[Natalie]

Dear L,

I am wondering how you discovered Leonard Cohen.

Do you find it is difficult to find L.C. C.D.s, books, etc...?

My friend Aaron lives in Montana, and he has a difficult time finding anything Canadiana, and usually has to order L.C. C.D.s.

Just curious,
Natalie

[lizzytysh]

Dear Natalie...

I discovered Leonard through my former husband. Our marriage was in the process of dissolving, but yet through him I discovered Leonard, who has lasted ~ I'd driven down to where he was at for the weekend, and he played his first record for me. I've tried to pinpoint the time, and the closest I come is 1970. We still managed to bond over Leonard, and through multiple reconciliations he played [guitar] and we both sang many of his songs together....One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong, Bird On A Wire, So Long, Marianne, Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye, and Suzanne included ~ of course . He writes music and songs, and plays the guitar and sings his own, as well as those of others. I sing along [you know the difference ]

When I bought my copy of Ten New Songs, I called him 1,000 miles long distance and played the CD, beginning to end, over the phone to him. He then went and bought it himself. It seems to me that no relationship could have a more beautiful beginning than through the songs and music of Leonard. Very powerful resonances...at the time and in retrospect.

Where I live, everything is difficult to find, including yes, Leonard's music and material. The standard stuff is in the most major stores, but anything the least bit remote is virtually unfindable....except via Internet, by people you meet there or ordering.

How about you?

~Lizzytysh

[Natalie]

Dear L,

I got into Leonard Cohen about 10 years ago after a New Year's kiss -- how fitting. The guy I met was a big fan of L.C.'s poetry, and I was curious to find out why he was so attracted to him. I looked him up at the university library, and was quite pleased to find an array of volumes of poetry. The first one I selected and read was Spicebox of the Earth.
I was so taken with the depth of his metaphors that I eagerly read more.

The romance with the guy never did work out, but I thank him wherever he is.

I wasn't that familiar with L.C.'s music. Of course I'd heard "Suzanne," and "Everybody Knows," but that was about it. When he released The Future, I was thrilled, because it was my first taste of his excellent ability to narrate and describe within the confines of song lyrics. He came to my city, but I couldn't afford to go to the concert, as I was still in university. I'm hoping that he'll change his mind and go on the road but I think he's enjoying his soft existence.

Anyways, that's my story. He continues to inspire me . . .

Natalie

[lizzytysh]

Hi Natalie,

Thanks for your story. The only thing I might disagree with is the "soft" existence, as Leonard remains "hard" at work on his new book of poems and album. I'm so sorry that you missed him when he was so near. Yes, hopefully, at some point, we'll all get at least one more opportunity to see and hear him in person. It's true what they say about how some people come into your life, and your life is never the same again. Some come only temporarily to bring us gifts. So it seems with your temporary lover. What a gift he brought you.

~Lizzytysh

[Natalie]

Dear L,

I want to clarify what I mean by a "soft" existence. He moved away from Canada to go to Los Angeles. The winters in Montreal, and in other parts of the nation are incredibly cold, harsh, and unrelenting. I believe that the two best contemporary songwriters (L.C. and Dylan) wanted to escape that bitter climate in order to pursue their lives in different directions; L.C. left Montreal, and Dylan left Minnesota.

Not to put myself in the same category, I, too, left my hometown, due to the fact I wanted to fly to Palm Springs perpetually for six months of the year. I did, in fact, take off to Palm Springs, by myself, for a week one time, and it was a great experience. That's a different story, altogether.

This fleeing is so important in the development of a songwriter / poet. I can't tell you, L, how much my music and poems have changed. It's phenomenal.

So, when I wrote about his "soft" existence, I meant palm trees, and such. I've been to L.A. a few times, and every time I go there I feel like I've travelled to a different planet.

I know he's always writing, and obviously it shows. Nothing improves a writer like writing.

I'm enjoying our discussions, L.

Take care,
Natalie >> isn't that guy so cute?

[guest]

And they both live in the LA/southern california area. What is it about that place ?

[lizzytysh]

Thanks for your clarification, Sandra. I had just gone with the "hard work" aspect, and wasn't even going to approach the psychological aspects of presumed "soft" vs. "hard." Wrong on both counts, anyway, as you meant climate, weather, and surroundings. Yes, I've noticed how differently some thought patterns are for me, too, when I'm in different places. I'm enjoying our discussions too. What guy, do you mean the "Cool" emoticon? If so, yes. I noticed on my Yahoo that the ones offered there have almost a sinister look....even the positive and neutral ones. I've used one once and decided to not do it anymore.

Guest: California in general is more open in their attitudes, innovative, experimental, and all those positive things than the majority of other places in the U.S. If something "cutting edge" is coming to the U.S., it generally comes through New York and/or California. Between the marketing possibilities in both, they also have the attitude barometer, which doesn't automatically register "Negative" simply because it's new and/or different. Plus, if they're not having to concentrate on survival issues like warmth, protection from the weather, and all that, they're free to focus on other things. Of course, California does have its earthquakes.

~Lizzytysh

[Natalie]

Dear L,

Last time I checked my name was Natalie, and not Sandra.

Anyways, back to the forum of discussion, Guest said that Dylan resides in California, as well. I thought he was living in N.Y.C. these days. Hmmm.

If I was in my 60s, I would choose a soft existence as well. Sipping margaritas poolside and maybe doing some work with the synthesizer after the dinner party . . .

I do have tremendous respect for Dylan, however, because he's currently touring. He always tours. He is a musician.

If L.C. doesn't want to tour at all anymore, then I think he should at least play one concert -- perhaps in L.A.

But maybe he's forgotten how to play the guitar. Sigh............



Natalie

[George.Wright]

Yes, leonard must play one more concert........................
I still think he can play guitar..........but if he leaves it too late?
Georges

[lizzytysh]

Hmmm.......I'm sorry, Natalie. I know you're not Sandra, and who knows why I typed that instead of Natalie? I apologize. I was surprized to hear that Leonard lives in L.A., and once having that confirmed, nothing surprizes me as to who lives where. I haven't tried to keep up with where they live, however, it does seem N.Y. would be a likelier place for Dylan. However, it would seem that way for Leonard, too. My understanding is that his primary purpose is being near Lorca, Adam, and Roshi. Beyond that, he may have simply made whatever adjustments were necessary. Or, who knows, maybe he likes it.

There's not a doubt in my mind that Leonard still knows how to play the guitar, and exceedingly well. Were he to do a concert, L.A. would seem to be a natural choice for him, wouldn't it?

Talk with you later [ahem] Natalie...
~Lizzytysh

[Kush]

The guest was me. "Last time I checked" Dylan was living in southern california but I'm not certain. Yes, he is always touring and I'll be seeing him next month. When somebody asked him why he always tours he gave a brusque, typically Dylanesque reply of "What else would I do in life ? "

[Andrew McGeever]

Natalie, can I return to your original posting, "New Poem"? I liked it, and wrote a reply, with a couple of suggestions, to which you responded. While I don't want to interupt a "string" of correspondence between you, Elizabeth, Kush and any others, can I comment on something you wrote in one of your recent postings? You wrote, and I quote "unlike Leonard Cohen, I rarely revisit poems to make changes. Once it's written; it's written".
Leonard Cohen is not unique: ALL writers of poetry (and songwriters) MUST revisit their material before committing it to print or song.
It's called WORK.

[Andrew McGeever]

Sorry , Natalie: my post was interrupted by domestic circumstances, hence the "WORK" ending. But the point I was trying to make is that poetry is work, though most people I know don't make a living through poetry (with some exceptions......let's list them on the back of a cigarrete pack). Every writer I know works a damned sight harder than I do; most of them have more talent than me. Work and talent...plus luck, in terms of publication at the right time, if your material fits the purpose of the editor/publisher/judge.
Keep writing, Natalie!
Yours, Andrew.

[Natalie]

Thank you for your comments, Andrew.

At first I was a little bit taken aback with your comment about "WORK," thinking that maybe I was just a lazy "lousy little poet," because I often do not revisit / edit / change my poetry. But, actually, a lot of thought goes into a poem before it sees the light of a page. So, that is WORK, essentially. I'll play a line over and over in my head until I think it works.

But, what I find to be work is writing songs. I can't even begin to estimate the amount of time I've spent writing 60 songs in one year. Many of them aren't good, but the ones that I think are, took a lot of hard work. When the chords weren't right, I changed them to suit the lyrics, and vice versa.

Back to poetry, though, I worked on Friday night. I did my first poetry reading on the West coast. It went well. I read the new poem, and people liked it. I'll be reading Thursday and Friday, and then the following Thursday and Friday. It's really exciting for me.

Anyways, thank you for your encouragement. It means a lot, especially from a poet whose work I admire.

Take care,
Natalie

[Andrew McGeever]

Dear Natalie, mazel tov !!
It's so good to hear that you are reading your work in public. I do it too, whenever the opportunity arises (and in unusual circumstances, which I'll explain later!).
But for now, let's hear it for you!
Warm regards, Andrew.
P.S. Some Dylan & Cohen matters were touched on elsewhere in this "string". Can I address these later too?