HAVE YOU MET LEONARD?

[lizzytysh]

Ahhh, okay, Helen. Yes, I understand ~ on all counts! [How silly of me, in a way, now that I think about it, to ask you to recall that far back. Don't even think about asking me to do that !]

Your memory served you properly for your priorities. Good choice to have made. It sounds like you engaged in some conversation, as well. Even better .

~ Lizzy

[catherine]

Hi Helen Shapiro,
your name strikes a chord... aren't you a notorious singer,too?

Catherine.

[Helen Shapiro]

No Helen Shapiro the singer is from England. I'm in Montreal.

BTW, I've never heard her music.

Helen

[Patyou]

Hello

I met Leonard once in Paris. It was in 1987 before I'm Your Man album
and two years after the Various Positions Tour. He was sitting in a cafe, eating a sandwich, and I have been surprised by his "look" : he was reading a newspaper with glasses and I never saw him like that, looking more like a business man or a "clerk" than the poet or the pop star he was. I had just read the morning before a arcticle about him and I supposed our meeting was the result of a divine intervention. I told that to him but he looked amused and just told me it was a coincidence. I didn't want to believe that and of course it was only a concidence. I just told him how he helped us not to give up (on these days I used to write songs). He asked me my name, shoke my hand and that's all. Unforgettable.
(sorry for my poor english)
Pat[/b]

[davideo]

Yes, I've met Mr. Cohen. Hi Patyou- There are no co-incidences. Next time we meet him, let's remind him. I'm sure he was being modest, of course. From his point of view, well, he's bound to meet someone new each day.( The Divine works each day, too). I'm writing today to remind you all that this guy has presented some unprecedented stuff. I just re-introduced me to 'Songs from a Room' all over again, and I cried, all over again." Oh, yes, I'd like to tell my sto-o-ry..." Why doesn't everyone get so moved by his early work? It wasn't just the occaision that made me first love this man's Songs. The intimacy and conviction and human-ness has yet to be out-done. Of course there's no competition in sincere art- but, then, where's that these days? Love to you, Leonard, Jarkko, Lizzytish... man! sob! oh, my-y. Amen. I should offer a little about the time I saw Leonard. He was looking into the little art gallery window where I was working- mostly making little picture frames. Leonard was looking at the picture I'd made of him. A lady was with him. It was 1969 in Ottawa, Canada, Sussex Drive. By the time I could tell my boss, Mr. Cohen had disappeared and I went outside to find him. He was exiting a photography store and I said,"Excuse me. Aren't you Leonard Cohen?" His hand extended and he said,"Leonard". "Oh", I said,"I thought it was you. I could tell by your ear lobes. I saw you looking in the window at the picture I painted, and I just wanted to see if it was you." "Did you paint the picture?Can I buy it?" "Yes" I said, "but it costs fifty dollars." I think the lady smiled at that point. She was bemused by this young person's (19 years) enthrallment and adulation of her consort. We all went back to the gallery, where I told the boss, Paul, that Leonard wanted to purchase my picture. Some agreement was made for his return the next day whereupon he presented a cheque. I recall his having said, "I like what you see." I thanked him. "How can I get in touch with you?" he asked. I was not prepared for that and I was afraid to tell him 'cause of some stuff I'd heard in his lyrics. (I had told him, truthfully, that "I know just about all of the words to all of your songs".)I distorted some truths and declined to make myself accessable for him. I'm still 'doing time' for this paranoiac evasion. I have since written to him and apologized and he replied with two brief letters, typed and signed, in which he honoured my expressed regret and attempted explanation.That was after I had seen Jesus and really had little to do but try to become real. Thirty years later I'm still working on it. I have read that a crowd in Israel assumed the appearance of Jesus to Leonard. I think I can understand,now, how this could be. The real Jesus does not put himself 'above' anyone, and his appearance as an entire crowd simply begins to demonstrate the expanses of his heart. Some times one story leads to another- forgive me, but both of these individuals figure into my history and warrrant their mentions. Glad to tell my tale one more time. And I still say,'there are no coincidences!' Dave

[lizzytysh]

Your English is fine, Patyou. I can imagine your appreciation of this new vision of Leonard, as he sat reading the paper. I agree with David's take on his response regarding divine intervention as being one of humility.

That sure was a surprize seeing my name included with such fine company , David. Totally unexpected. I enjoyed reading again your account of meeting Leonard, and the story regarding Leonard, crowds, and Jesus that followed it.

" . . . two brief letters, typed and signed . . . "

Amazing when you think about it, isn't it!?! Knowing feelings of regret, he also knows how their assuaging can feel so good to another. Bless Leonard, his compassion and his kindness.

~ Lizzy

[davideo]

Ditto Lizzy, bless him. Is everybody gonna see Mr. Dylan interviewed on 60 minutes Sunday night- Dec. 5? My wife's down in Fl. as I write, coming home tomorrow. Me and the cat have been so busy doing what L. does normally. She should be sainted. One of these days I will have the moxie to write Mr. Cohen a letter. Just seems I have so little to say...

[Anne-Marie]

Reading these Leonard is always 'with a lady friend'. Ah, that makes me smile.