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I love how the idea of a stone bench on Hydra is developing. I especially like the idea of engraving some lines of his poetry. Choosing from so many suitable poems and lyrics will be a challenge. I like the selections Jarkko has made. Many others come to mind: lines from Night Comes On ( eg, the crickets are singing/ the vesper bells ringing/ the cat's curled asleep in his chair...) or Half the Perfect World or Bird on a Wire, or "they are still singing down at Dousko's"... and on and on....
Another thought: we could make sure to hire local Hydra ( or at Greek) artisans as a gesture of respect and support for the economy.

Yes, I would also like to have a local artisan from Hydra, if possible.
At least we could first try this option in favour of the local people. If there is no one able to do it, then turn to Athens/Greece.

For the inscription any kind is fine for me, rather not too long.

As it seems, the organization again rests with Jarkko and the moderators while we only offer ideas (actually me not even an own idea). Time to say Thank You again!

P.S.: Dear Maarten, would please put me on the reservation list for 10 minutes sitting on the bench ...

For the inscription I nominate:

Like a bird on the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.

Not only does this quote characterize Leonard's life, I believe that these lines directly refer to Hydra.

Hi all, just read it now, great ideas around, will still think about it and come back, but the bench-project sounds very good already, count me in (and I also apply to sit there for 10 - 15 minutes ).
greetings
Sylvia

The bench idea is lovely, I just wonder if it could be extended just slightly to include a couple of modest flat stones on the ground or behind with a couple of short quotations to make a little reflection zone of it. A local artisan would be great. But happy to contribute to whatever is final choice.

I absolutely support the idea of a stone bench on Hydra though my favorite place for that would be the beautiful spot high up Vlichos with the beautiful view upon ocean and Vlichos beach. The old bench there is rotten down and needs to be renewed anyways. The place is a bit offside of course but charming.

I love the stone bench idea definitely, it is just simple, humble, sublime, meaningful, memorable and durable ...
And probably the best possible to implement in a relatively not very long time, using the local Greek artist and contractor.

I'd like to participate in the project with a great joy for sure, will invite some friends to join also.

Anyway, please count me in any idea will be decided!

Marta

The idea of a stone bench is so timely - count me in!

Leonard from Montreal

i love the lines leonard gave us in 2002 for the hydra -event

" the road i too long
the sky is too vast
the wandering heart
is homeless at last"

or

"Follow me the wise man said,
but he walked behind"

written in stone..
ute

a stone bench somewhere in the vicinity of kamini sounds like a great idea..well done anne...personally as far as inscriptions are concerned i think less is more...just a simple line to say the bench was erected to commemorate/celebrate leonard cohen's 80th. birthday....too many written thoughts or lines of poetry no matter how beautiful or meaningful tend towards the kitsch or dare I say even funereal in a situation like this...just a personal view....ta ken

So many good ideas have been described here. I like the idea of the stone bench particularly well and it seems to be feasible in the relatively short time. Maybe with a few particularly nice sets by LC decorated. Though I do not personally be able to visit Hydra in this life, but I could imagine that it might be for other LC friends a special feeling to sit down on this bench. So it will be my great honor to participate as part of my unfortunately limited options in this beautiful project.
Of course the sentences "Like a bird on the wire , like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free" would fit very well. I personally would quote from my two forever favorite songs. Night comes on: "I said Mother I´m frightened the thunder and the lightning I´ll never come through this alone. She said, I´ll be with you, my shawl wrapped around you, my hand on your head when you go, and the night came on it was very calm, I wanted the night to go on and on but she said go back to the world. Or from "Coming back to you": Even in your arms I know I´ll never get it right, even when you bend to give me comfort in the night I´ve got to have your word on this or none of it is true and all I´ve said was just instead of coming back to you".
But I´m afraid Ta Ken is right, that is too long.
I´m sure, everything you will decide, will be fine.

I also vote for a bench on Hydra.
If i remember well there are some
stone bences on the way from the
port to Mandraki.

I will be on Hydra this coming June
so i might be able to discuss the whole
project with some of the local people there.

Dem

jassu mitso, eisse o kaliteros!!

The stone bench is a great idea which Anne & I fully support and will contribute to help make it happen.

Joe

Inscription?

You were always the one.

It is short and easy and can have different meanings:
- We talking to LC
- LC talking to us
- LC talking to Greece, Hydra
- LC talking to Marianne
...