Have you heard Dear Heather?

[lizzytysh]

That's it ~ the poster I have of Dear Heather. The lavendar background, the drawing of Heather, and Leonard in the smaller inset beneath, drinking coffee. It's the one my record-store guy saved for me. It will look lovely framed . Of those other posters, the initial one, centered by itself at the top, where he's sitting on the park bench, looking up at the camera with a cigarette in his mouth, while leaning over and touching the sole of his shoe ~ very nice photo .

I also just read the lithograph enclosed with the first CDs that were sold in Poland ~ Leonard's humour :

"I never found the girl
I never got rich
Follow me"

~ Lizzy

[Don G]

I got the album tuesday morning went to school put it in the diskman and attempted to study. It didn't work. constant conflict between studying for class (for my future) and listening to this beautifull album. cohens music and poetry feeds my spirit wich I need more for my life, my future. I understand Lizzytysh, my school work is waiting and I'm listening to Dear Heather.
I am new to this site, it's great I felt so alone. No one I know has heard this wonderfull poetry. There has been so much said that has passed through my head, my heart.
I was walking to school the constant pulsing of dear heather through my head unknowingly I started saying the words, almost a mantra.
as for a favorite song it changes moment to moment. since I started listening to Cohen it can be a whole album, a phrase, the way a word is used or pernounced. I heard him refered to as a word smith. I think it was very fitting. it is not like having a favorite it is like a love affair, being drawn in by an idea an emotion always changing and developing.

[lizzytysh]

Dear Don ~

Welcome to this oasis. You arrive expressing the relief we all, or at least so many of us have felt, realizing that we really haven't been alone all this time, no matter the length of that time. So well said, your reactions to this Dear Heather album. I went to sleep to her last night, and I'm listening to her now ~ waking up 10 minutes ago. She was on after two of them.

Thank you for this way of expressing how "it is not like having a favorite it is like a love affair, being drawn in by an idea an emotion always changing and developing." So well said.

I wondered myself last night, and feel that something coming to me this morning may be in the ballpark, as to Leonard's choice of the specific lithograph to include with the release of Dear Heather there. He knew she would do well there. Of course, it was a gift for their loyalty, of which he's long known, but its words seem an acknowledgement of that loyalty, as well. He seems to say it defies some 'rules' of objectivity, somehow, but expresses his gratitude and reenforces it with his handwritten inscription. I'm happy for Poland , and that their longstanding loyalty was so tangibly rewarded by Leonard himself . Maybe my roots help account for my love of him. I'm 50% Polish .

~ Lizzy

[Henning]

Lizzy,

he's lighting a match at his boots.

Here's my Heather Top 12.

The Masterpiece section

1.) Undertow (Unbelievable beautiful,only Leonard creates such magic).
2.) Dear Heather (don't wonder - it's just me)
3.) The Faith
4.) Because of
5.) Nightingale

The Well-done section

6.) Villanelle for our time
7.) Morning Glory
8.) The Letters
9.) Go no more a-roving

The Nice-to-have section

10.) There for you
11.) To a teacher
12.) On that day

[Tchocolatl]

Alone? What do you mean alone?

When I was at this downtown music store many pretty young women where around the stand or with DH in their hands like busy bees, making me smile, because of...

Loneleness, solitude and intimate atmosphere are not the same (oh! well I am at it again, scrutinizing the meaning )

I figure that not so many fans are inclined to talk about their impressions about what they are listening and/or reading, they kept a secret garden and this is a part of it. Maybe.

I remember this anecdote : when I got Ten New Songs I was listening to it in my walkman when an (male) acquaintance came by me to ask what I was listening: I opened the cover and showed him the CD. He had fall off his chair would he had been sit, but only his jaw fell to the ground "you too!! I looked back to him, puzzled, ( ) and he replied : Every woman I know is listening Leonard Cohen these days... a little bit envious he seemed (with this how-can-he-do-this-being-attractive-like-that-look in his face).

For me, strange enough, one should say, maybe, in the contrary of thinking being alone, I was certain that everybody, I mean everybody would be please to share want they have found behind the doors and windows of his work. I discovered that not so many, in fact, are interested in going so far, or at least to share it or to be interested in what others have found. It seems to me that most of the fans prefer to discuss about something else, and more often just to gather around knowing they are sharing the same feelings or very similar feelings. It is OK to me. I was just surprised, first. and yet, sometimes disappointed, but now I do no care. I review this in my secret garden, in silence (almost ).

I just hope they - the 3 of them - Sharon, Anjani and Leonard will do another one very soon!

[lizzytysh]

Hi Henning ~

Thanks for clarifying the match. I had considered writing that, but had looked for a match, finding nothing. It's such a common gesture of olde for men to do, but then, looking at his cigarette I could tell whether or not it was already lit, either. So, played it safe ~ though "touching his shoe" [!?!] ~ for what possible reason would he be doing that!?! I shoulda just gone with striking of a match .

I've found that the three songs [so far] that I've begun to sing when I'm away from any listening device are "Undertow;" "Dear Heather;" and "The Faith."

Oh-oh, Tchocolatl ~ to whom is this addressed? "Loneleness, solitude and intimate atmosphere are not the same (oh! well I am at it again, scrutinizing the meaning )." I want to be able to respond, if it was me, but in quickly scrolling couldn't find those words together in one posting [at least on this page]. You're right, of course, that the meanings, connotations, and implications of those words are different.

Last night, as I again fell asleep to Leonard's voice, my thought was, "Here I am ~ falling asleep, again, to that same voice that has comforted me over so many years." That voice has its own, private entryway into my psyche. Oh yes, I know soooo well of that private garden. However, I'm bursting with joy, hopelessly in love with this album. My private garden where I go to listen will always remain the same. Even with others who know, understand, and share in my love will not encroach on that private space. It's been private for many years. It's overgrown with beautiful vines. Talking about the feelings I have listening does not intrude upon this sanctuary, either.

~ Lizzy

[Don G]

Tchocolatl
When I went to get the cd their where no people standing around it. the first place I went (that had told me the day before that they would have it in. I had mistaken the release date) couldn't find it. they also gave me a strange look as if wondering why I would come in on the morning of the release to get this cd. I went to the other store in the mall and got it there. they had a few copies but it seemes they where not expecting to need lots. I could be wrong but I don't think there are many fans here. I only know one and he is not as big a fan as me. A few others that I know like some of his music but don't own any of his albums or books. I will probobly meet some some time. maybe I'll try to convert someone.

[Byron]

Merits and nuances continue to pass me by.

I have a wardrobe with several shirts, pairs of trousers, ties, socks, etc., and each day brings the ritual of having to decide what to wear.

Each piece of clothing was bought by me for me, or bought for me by others.

My choice of attire for any given day depends on my mood and what I want to get out of that day. The ladies among you will appreciate the turmoil of the decision making processes for how you want to appreciate yourselves for each day, or each event on that day.

I now have to tread (metaphorically) on a few recently painted, delicate toenails.

We have read in the literature and media attention that 'Dear Heather' has created, wherein the sense of transcendental meditation can be evoked from allowing auditory impulses to flow through our brain's receptors.

I would prefer to say that my experience of listening to this poetry and music goes further than that. My personal take of this collection from lc et al., is that it allows me the joy of transcendental meandering.

I have practiced TM for many years and used my personal mantra for all of that time. I have delved deeply and wonderfully into recesses of the mind where time and space have disappeared. I have left my body behind in its comfortable repose and drifted over the edges of cliffs and sunk beneath the deepest of seas. I have flown and soared through colours and sensations unimaginable.

Dear Heather, like my wardrobe, opens up to reveal colours and emotive sensations, which have to be taken on the spur of that one moment. Play it, dive in to it, lose the 'self' within it, but most of all, be alone to experience it. Any other person present will be a distraction. One has to be totally selfish in order to give the music its due respect. Only afterwards can one give leonard his due respect.

Each selfish session will bring another new sensation and a continuation of the transcendental meandering of an uncluttered mind.

Strewth folks. that all got a bit deep.

[lizzytysh]

It's good to hear you expressing this kind of appreciation for Leonard, Byron. I can see it goes far beyond the inclusion of a poem by one of your own favourite poets, and your moniker here. I agree with what you're saying regarding this album. Thanks for expressing it in all its depth.

~ Lizzy

[Byron]

to which poem do you refer dear lady?

[Tchocolatl]

I see better what you meant Don G. The store I was talking about is well-stocked, always full of people. Fortunate you to have came by this oasis, then. Not that I have shared with anybody there what I am sharing here. So I guess...

To whom it may concern lizzitysh Yes I understand. I was not advocating for the secret garden as a must. I like to read here and write to other fans like the first day. I just balanced my unrealistic expectations about other sharing my interest to follow the many paths his work can lead me to.

Byron, I agree with you : you have to be, if not alone, at least quiet an silent. A real relaxation : it makes me feel relaxed, "happy at last". He witnesses this state of mind. That is what I see.

I practiced MT also for a while but never reached the heights you where talking about, personnaly. I prefer to listen the CD than to do MT, and it is efficient with me. I mean there I reach the heights you are talking about

[lizzytysh]

" . . . you have to be, if not alone, at least quiet an silent. A real relaxation : it makes me feel relaxed, "happy at last". He witnesses this state of mind. That is what I see."

Yes.


Right.....To Whom It May Concern, Tchocolatl , back atcha ~ okay, I know what you mean. This is one time when knowing few others who know of and/or like him is a reprieve. I don't need to concern myself with sharing him openly [except for here, for the most part]. I was very happy to be able to talk with Phil about him and Dear Heather. I'm making a copy of DH for myself right now, before I give the [currently good] copy to my former husband tomorrow morning. The second song has started to do a minor skip. Probably my funky player, but I'm not taking any chances, so I'm getting a good copy while I have a good original. I haven't sent off the 3rd one I have yet, but will be. For now, I don't want to open it.

I still know my still-unspoken-aloud mantra from T.M. ~ gotten at the bargain price of $125.00 in 1975 . I never achieved Byron's heights, either. However, I got incredibly relaxed and unhurried, and got people thinking I was coming to work high . Oh well.

Byron ~ the poem is "Go No More A-Roving" by Lord Byron, the one after whom you named yourself for here ~ or have I gotten some details wrong along the way. Certainly possible .

~ Lizzy

[lizzytysh]

With "Because Of" ~ I'm not certain whether it's intentional or whether it's not; however, Leonard's last two lines are given exceptional emphasis, as a result of the difference between expectation and outcome. Everything is moving along in the song with images of women naked [one way]; naked in their sharing of themselves, that kind that comes with feeling safe with a person, to open up, and speak your innermost self; and whatever other ways of nakedness Leonard is suggesting. These women are adults, Leonard is an adult. Imagination is seeing them in all of their varieties of involvement through the years.

"Then they bend over the bed" ~ the image I initially had upon hearing that line was of a beautiful woman, her hair falling softly ahead of her, as she joined him in his bed; and then the perspective steps back as she has bent over him simply to cover him up; and then the perspective steps back still again, as Leonard portrays his recipience of this kindness as being akin to a baby, and not 'just' a baby, but a baby who is shivering. Then came the emotional reactions that followed that surprize....a laugh, a smile, a wave of bittersweetness, a feeling of sadness. There has occurred with those two, short lines a remarkable shift in perspective for the listener and reader.

When I was speaking with my friend, Phil, this afternoon, I was remarking on "My pages of concern"......granted, he sought something to rhyme with "burn," or perhaps it occurred the opposite direction. However, who would think to 'call' a "letter" by this phrase.....and be so spot-on with the nature of the letters, as well. Really amazing to me. So simple. So true.

~ Lizzy

[Byron]

Dear lady, I understand now. Thank you. Very perceptive.

I had thought you were refering to poems recently discussed on the forum.

However, you went to the source. It seems a long time ago that I chose this name. I have been a-roving on this site ever since. I've met strange and wonderful people on my travels. I've had my ups and downs. I've ventured into unknown territories where I have encountered delightful creatures and a few 'beasties.'

And all from the comfort of my leather-backed, swivelling chair and my trusty laptop. Ain't life wonderful. (rhetorical British outburst of enthusiasm) Actually, it's not leather, but it looks like it is


Message for Pete. The disks are soon to be on their way. Open packages, insert disk in machine, sit back, and wallow.

I told my far better half yesterday that I believe lc's best years were around 1988.

Austin x 2 are live performances with life. Not the jiggin' around stuff, but the arrival at a point in his life, when he was more self assured and professionally aware of his public persona, than ever before. Without the need to overplay a piece, but to let the pieces fall before his audiences through his fingers.

The word 'tinkle' comes to mind and a piano played lightly with the softest of touches on the keys shows a mastery of the instrument. I think lc had reached that particular mastery with his voice in that period-------> . <-----(little joke for a Sunday morn)

The right hand side of the 'pond' put their clocks back an hour last night and so we've had a 'lie-in' this morning. The evening sun will vanish an hour earlier from today. I do not enjoy (a word chosen deliberately to convey inner feelings) winter hours with their loss of light. If I lived in Finland, it would be as a ghost that I'd be writing all of this. Ying and Yang in the same posting! Who can spot the juxtoposition?

And so to the decorating..........."pass the paper 'toots.' "

[Pete]

message to Byron...
Thankyou in anticipation of the discs... I'm good at wallowing

I tried to gain my extra hour in bed last night but I went to bed one hour later so somewhere along the line it didnt work out

end of message

Pete