Threat

Debate on Leonard Cohen's poetry (and novels), both published and unpublished. Song lyrics may also be discussed here.
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lazariuk
Posts: 1952
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2005 5:38 am
Location: Vancouver

Threat

Post by lazariuk »

Leonard wrote a little poem called "Threat"

This is a threat
Do you know what a threat is
I have no private life
You will commit suicide
or become like me

It's an interesting little poem. The writer says clearly that it is a threat then immediately tries to make sure that we are appreciating what is meant by a threat.
I think that a threat is something that you use to keep someone from doing something or to go in one direction rather than another and it implies that harm will come if a particular direction is taken.
Here the harm seems to be one that the writer is keenly aware of and wanting someone else to avoid out of concern for them.



Jack
"If you ever cross my path again
you do so at the peril of your own life
I'm not as kind and forgiving as I sound
I've seen enough heartache and strife" ... Bob Dylan
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