Witty Leonard Zinger omitted from Sylvie Simmons Bio

[lightning]

While “I’m Your Man” makes no attempt to conceal Leonard’s enthusiasm for consciousness altering substances, his apt, witty, pro-drug repartée was left out of the book, though Sylvie initially thought it was fit to print with a qualifier, “that’s the way people were thinking back then.” Perhaps some editor did not agree with her.
On page 209-210, “Leonard stopped to talk to a young man who was taking a large tortoise for a walk. He asked him “ What do you feed that thing?” and the young man said, “ Hamburger meat, speed and smack.”

Omitted part.:

“That’s a terrible thing to do to an animal,” objected Thelma.
“ Well, at least it had its head out,” said Leonard.

You can copy and print out these two lines out in 9 point type, cut them out,and paste them into the book in the space atop page 210 after the quotes. They are essential to the story. It doesn't mean much without them.

[holydove]

Thank you for that, Thelma! I haven't gotten to that part yet, but I printed out the words & will paste them in my book, so they will be there when I get to it. We certainly wouldn't want to miss out on any of Leonard's priceless witty words, so thank you again.

[Steven]

Hi Lightning:

Thank you. I like the words you posted that you write were omitted. (I'm a tortoise owner of more than three decades
and she never puts her head in her shell out of fear. She lives cleanly too, no drugs. ) My guess is that Leonard
Cohen fans are more kind to their pets than the general public is.

[lightning]

Hi Steven,
How nice to hear from a tortoise owner. What I objected to when I said, "That's a terrible thing to do to an animal" I partly meant that it was "dosed," given drugs against its will, a big no-no even in the drug counterculture. Usually, we think of a turtle hiding in its shell from fear, to protect itself, though you say yours doesn't. Leonard's retort asserts that the tortoise was given extra courage to experience the world because of the drugs it was given. It was an imaginative comeback, whether true or not, and I'm disappointed that it was deleted. I hope you will include it in your copy of the book. Besides this omission, I am very pleased with Sylvie Simmons recounting of this tale, and the book in general.

[Steven]

Hi Lightning,

I understood what you meant. My tortoise doesn't retract into the shell because of fear only because it is
in a protected environment and it trusts that it is safe. When it was a hatchling there were times it would
retract its head out of fear. It's learned to no longer fear the stimuli that it did back then. Presented with
something that would prompt it to be fearful, I'm certain it would do so again. Had it out earlier tonight.
Stroked its chin for a couple of minutes. It didn't mind at all. When I first obtained it, its head would
sometimes quickly retract into the shell for a number of minutes at just the approach of my hand to its head.
Also understood Leonard's retort and agree with what you said about it. Will be buying the book and will
edit in the retort.

[holydove]

Hi Thelma,

I wondered if you are the Thelma that is speaking in the book, but didn't know if I should ask such a thing. From what you said in your post, it would seem that it is you who speaks that line! Very interesting. . .I will be up to that part pretty soon, & am looking forward to it.

[lightning]

Yes, I'm the one who gave the story to Sylvie. That's why I'm asking people to add the lines which I found in my journal from that time. They show Leonard's quick wit, as well as an "animal's rights" defense. They should be remembered, not deleted.

[MaryB]

Thelma,

Thank you so much for this. I have followed your instructions and put it in my book - works quite well. It is indeed a crucial part of the exchange. Pity that Sylvie omitted it.

Best regards,
Mary

[lightning]

Sylvie said it was the editor that took it out. She fought for it and lost. Glad you appreciated it.

[MaryB]

That explains it all Thelma. I just couldn't believe that with the quality of this book that she would have omitted those two crucial lines. Thank you for the clarification!