Leonard Cohen - R.I.P.

R.I.P. Leonard Cohen

The Sisters of Mercy

 

LEONARD COHEN - Take This Longing

It was a great shock for me this morning to wake up to the news that Leonard Cohen had passed away. I have been a great fan ever since I heard The Sisters of Mercy in the sixties. It made the same impression on me as did the hearing of Dylan for the first time. His first few albums were nothing short of brilliant and he became a 'Beautiful Obsession' to these old ears.  He was truly one of the real greats. He had just released a new album a few months ago too. Here is my personal tribute to Mr Cohen, it is a poem I did for a post a few years back. It is a true story.

I have chosen my personal favorite track to accompany this. As you will see LC. means a lot to me .

THE BLACK TRENCH COAT

This is pretty much a true story, well the first verse is. In fact I only added the next 2 verses as an afterthought. If you have ever been crossed in love you will know exactly how I felt. Pass me that bottle of Scotch please. A Special thanks to Leonard Cohen, for helping me get through that first day. In fact Mr Cohen has helped me get through many other days. Top Man.

THE BLACK TRENCH COAT

She wanted to spread her wings

(her thighs)

it was January, it was winter, it was cold

I was alone in my dungeon

the single bar heater gave little warmth

Songs of Love and Hate  arrived today

it was on repeat

a bottle was on the table

two fingers of comfort were left

the words  'Jane came by with a lock of your hair'

stung, they stung in my grieving ears

the cigarette smoke froze in the cold

the bottle stood empty

the room slowed down

I needed a drink

I slipped on my 'famous' Black Trench coat

I headed for the door, the night, the biting rain

searching for a bar, searching for anywhere

wanting her

She wanted to have her freedom

(sleep with men)

the bar was warm it was bright

I stood alone at the bar

I asked for a beer and a whiskey to chase

the juke box was busy and playing loud

it was country tunes

my empty glasses

needed a quick refresh

the words  ‘I won’t come in while he’s there’

stung, they stung in my grieving ears

the light mixed with the smoke

people had no faces

voices were a drone

I needed a drink

I slipped on my 'famous' Black Trench coat

I headed for the door, the night, the biting rain

searching for a bar, searching for anywhere

wanting her

She wanted to move on

(be with him)

I entered to the sounds of life

bright lights and pounding noise

I ordered a cocktail

a Manhattan and a beer assist

White Russian, a High Ball helper

it was disco music

my empty glasses

they cried out for more

the words  ‘I give you all a boy could give’

ripped, they ripped through my grieving ears

flashing lights screamed

puppets were dancing

where was oblivion?

I needed a drink

I slipped on my 'famous' Black Trench coat

I headed for the door, the night, the biting rain

searching for a bar, searching for anywhere

wanting her