leonardcohenforum.com

Wow! Phil, how could I ever follow that.

It is well deserved.. Your poems are brilliant

Hi YL ~

I know you don't mean to self promote. I didn't know whether to keep the whole thing private or openly say something 'somewhere' ~ when I saw Bernadine mention reading your poems, and I was thinking that she said they were the ones you gave her (though she may not have said that and meant only the delightful parodies you've written here and the ones you've posted in the [now] Member's Writing section. I took it to mean 'those' ones, some of which had already been posted in the [now] Member's Writing section, and was relieved and chose to take it as a cue to be able to say something openly). This thread seemed more appropriate than the Krakow threads, though, as this one has continued with the same vigour with which it started, and contains most of your closest friends from the Forum, who also have already experienced and know well your cleverness and immense writing abilities. The beauty in your poems deserves open recognition. I love your mix of humour and seriousness, as you are able to be humourous, or add humour to dire situations, or simply be serious without descending into sentimentality [at least for the most part... and then very little]. Just a straightforward look at life in so many of its facets, and about representative things that never would have occurred to me ~ or to most ~ to write about. Please don't be embarrassed by my admiration or praise. The aspect of its being a diary of your personal journey is very clear and deeply appreciated. I feel honoured that you were willing to share them with me.

I will finish them all and then begin to write you about them individually.

Lest Pete wonder... your book gift is another deeply-valued gift in my life... and so representative of that very creative force you have within you. Thank you deeply, too.


Highest regards,
Lizzy

Lizzy it is nice of you to say you like my street sign picture, but it's no way so special that "Leonard should have it". You wouldn't be returning to your old habit of overstating things by any chance?

tinderella, in her wine bottle pic wrote:wine is bottled poetry

I'll drink to that, Ber! I seem to be leaving the whiskey behind these days . . .

I like these Rumi words, even though they are kinda nonsensical:

We have a huge barrel of wine but no cups,
and that’s fine with us.
Every morning we glow
and in the evening we glow again.
They say there is no future for us.
They are right; which is fine with us.

cheers

Hi Diane ~

All I can do is speak my heart and I find that when I do that, others are sometimes uncomfortable with it. The drama created by the angle, contrast, and semi-concealment within it, along with Leonard's name, comprise a photo that I feel would make a wonderful gift for Leonard. Not that you would ever do that, but still the best way for me to phrase it, since it was my first thought and my truth. Maybe it's my love of b&w photography that prevails.


Best Regards,
Lizzy

Lizzy
I am in no way offended by your post infact I am deeply appreciative of the support you are giving my work . It was just a bit of a shock to find it in the public domain as i am predominately a shy person . But as I say in the poem "Dilemas"
"Do we hide alone in shadows
Longing to be seen
Or seek some other existence
More shiny and pristine"
Most people would like to be appreciated for something that they do and I am no different I suppose . That is just human nature it does not make you a lesser person I hope so long as you keep it in control.
As to where you posted it . You chose the right place as it is my adopted piece of cyberspace . The place where I feel most at home among the good the bad and the downright ugly ! ( Joking guys )
Thanks again and I hope you like the ones you have not read yet but I am sure there will be a "Jazz Police " among them
Best Wishes
YL

tinderella wrote:Wow! Phil, how could I ever follow that.

It is well deserved.. Your poems are brilliant

You dont have to Tinderella I already know your feelings on the subject and they too are greatly appreciated ! Just keep buying the drinks at meetups !
YL

Thanks for the reprieve, Phil . In fact, these people here know you better in many ways than I do. [I certainly seem to have misinterpreted what Bernadine was referring to... not the first time nor the last that that will ever happen.] Your "Dilemmas" poem is a fitting response to this.

Oh-oh. I'm one of those who happens to like Jazz Police, albeit's not my favourite, I still like it. So, I'll hunt for what will come closest and let you know... privately, of course, as will my comments on the particulars of the particulars.


All the best,
Lizzy

...this post does not contain smilies or the word 'awesome'.........

.....curse you miss diane...i put my back out last weekend while helping my sister tidy up her garden for the winter.....after a two day rest sitting quitely at home i ventured out to start my tour of the liverpool international biennial ....coming across a poster outside the oratory at liverpool's st james cemetery i immeadiately thought of our diane's beautifully atmospheric photo of Leonard Road...i can do that i foolishly thought so down i crouch lower and lower trying to get the right angle to include the cathedral tower...and then a blinding pain shot up my back and bish bash bosh over i go on my bad back......the photo may not quite be up to our diane's standard but it certainly illustrates the old confucius saying......
'man with bad back put camera in drawer and sit down in chair'

........curse you miss diane

if anybody wants to send the photo to leonard please be my guest

Ken
I hate to knit pick but you will have to improve your photographic skills . Two feet from the poster is by no means far enough
YL

Ken thanks for making me laugh first thing in the morning. Ever since Leonard had to cancel a few concerts due to same, there have been all sorts of novel excuses for having put one's back out. I see you have purchased a new pair of shoes since Barmouth. Awesome .

I journey through life with a blissful naivity that threatens to overwhelm me at times but you are what you are and so be it !
YL

Ken
Hope your back isn't causing too much discomfort.
Look after yourself and no extreme sports this weekend.
Pete

....calling our two bards of matlock and barnsley......forget about......

tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
creeps in this petty pace from day to day

...what about TODAY.......

today is national poetry day.....wherefore art thou?

National Poetry Day... I am sure our 2 bards will come up with a verse or 2.

Been mad busy and away in Dortmund last week to see Mr Cohen.

Hope everyone is welll

A Normal Day

I hope you will forgive me
If I choose to just forget
That this day is for poets
And poems not written yet
For there are many “special” days
To crop up throughout the year
It’s hard to mention all of them
In this posting sphere
A day for world religion
Let’s say amen to that
A day to celebrate your pet
So no one kicks the cat
Let’s not forget St Valentine
And lots of jiggy jig
When all the women of the world
Long for something big
There’s mothers day and fathers day
A children’s day as well
But not for poor old grandma
Alive ? it's hard to tell
A day for storytelling
I’ve heard a few of those
In my local hostelry
Just before they close
April fool now there’s a day
To execute a joke
On those " perfect " people
And nauseating folk
A water day a purple day
A day for giving blood
A day to put wrong trousers on
As if I ever would
A day just for lefthanders
To shout and make a fuss
But can I also celebrate
If ambi-dextri-ous
Guy Fawkes day that’s bonfire night
To the likes of me and you
There is even “talk like a pirate day”
And you can bring a cockatoo
But the one that is my favourite
The one that makes me smile
November nineteenth, Toilet day
When “parting” becomes worthwhile
And although I sometimes struggle
Which makes me shed a tear
I always seem to manage it
More than once a year

So "special " days are not for me
In any kind of way
I think I’ll just be awkward
And have a “normal “ day