leonardcohenforum.com

Hi

I think Marianne Ihlen was Norwegian (from Oslo) and not Swedish.

Bye
Patyou

Ah yes - Norway: Oslo; Sweden: Stockholm. My mistake. I always though she's from Stockholm because he gave so beautiful shows there:-) (according to bootlegs). And also because of this:

q: When did you last cry and why?
a: I cried yesterday in Stockholm. In a hotel room. The situation seemed to invite my tears.

(Q, 1994)

I was sure he saw Marianne. Anyway, it's still peculiar image: Leonard crying in his hotel room.

It isn't a peculiar image at all! I think it opens the door for more spec. on the man 'inside'. And of course, it could throw some more light on certain songs/poems. LC is a complicated man, with many conficting emotions (although this seems to have righed itself in the last five years or so - as has been said by others). The imag is intriguing but so sad.

Linda.

It shouldn't be surprising considering poets are people who examine and use emotion and crying is a dorm of release for emotion and an expression of the same.

I think that when you're separated from the mother of your children; when you have said publicly, again and again, that you're less than brilliant at stable or committed relationships; when you invoke God in your writing; when you speak of a tendency towards depression, you would, quite naturally have moments when tears are inevitable, no? I see nothing surprising in this. Besides, Zen Buddhism tends to condone the spontaneous expression of emotions as they occur.

While we're on the question of women... Any idea who the "Heather" is in *Dear Heather*? The only other Heather in Cohen's work is the Alberta maid who gets hypnotized into taking off her clothes in *The Favourite Game.* Any ideas on this?

Nazaree

Hi Nazaree,

There has been much discussion on this very topic. However, I don't think there was any conclusion. Leonard's office says to that question, "no one".
That still does not dissuade people from, now and again, venturing forth with new ideas (some good, some not so good). Speculation, all.

Linda.

His office is comprised of such "good little soldiers" . Hard to imagine that an entire album would be named for "no one." Well, a heather by any other name is still a heather. No, that was Rose . I vote for Leonard's next book [following his upcoming one] to be named Book of Secrets ~ won't take long to read and, if anyone wants, they can use its bound, blank pages for a journal .

I had my own 'apparently' off the wall answer to the Heather thing - which was shot down. If you know, girl, spill! I almost clicked your "Book of Secrets" 'link'. I better get some coffee.

Linda.

Ah, yes, my 'link' ~ you refer to the proper underlining of book titles ?s At least your realization didn't require that cup of coffee. Don't ask me, darlin' ~ I'd be a good little soldier, too ~ however, no need, as I'm not privy to the information to begin with. With Leonard, the secrets are many ~ the answers are few. No one needs to shoot any possibility down ~ until they have the answer. If, indeed, the 'answer' were "no one," then your answer is as #1 as anyone else's. So, 'til you find out otherwise, you won! You, too, Nazaree ~ you're both winners ! Rather considerate of Leonard, actually ~ the ultimate "Win-Win" arrangement .