leonardcohenforum.com

I have added two books of poetry and drawings to the section
Art Inspired by Leonard Cohen.

Soheyl Dahi (Iran/USA): Hydra: Deeper Than Bones
http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/dahibook.html

Henry Denander (Sweden/Hydra): Weeks Like This
http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/denander.html

Dahi has visited Hydra and Denander lives there in his house near Leonard's. Their poems tell about the life on Hydra - not forgetting Leonard. Some samples of their work can be found on the pages if you follow the links above.

Both books were published by Bottle of Smoke Press in Delaware.

Thank you for these links, Jarkko. These pictures and poems speak with such effervescence and depth to Hydra, evoking Leonard all the while. Really, really satisfying to look at and read them. Denander's minimalist painting of the house does so well in capturing the white light that bathes the island in the daytime. I love both of their words and the cleverness of Denander's poem. "footsteps" brings the mornings to all of my senses. Dahi's book title is so fitting ~ "Hydra - Deeper Than Bones" and his poem captures the profound awesomeness of just being there. The closing of his poem is great. I'm so anxious to return and these 'put me there,' just in their reading. The colours and feeling in their paintings are perfect.

Thanks.

~ Lizzy

I met Leonard in 1987 in Montreal. He calls me Brady. This is my daughter and I love her. She is lying on the beach and there is a dog beside her. Leonard and I knew each other when he was translating Lorca...he was stuck on "6 pretty women..or girls" at the time. It's the beginning of December and I was up at 4 in the morning writing someone who was in Key West and someone who had just delivered a catamaran to St. Maarten from South Africa. I thought of Leonard and so this painting, even though it was done three years ago is a message to Leonard that I am in Utah of all places in the world. Happy Hanukkah Leonard!! How is your uncle? I can see from the previous painting posted that yes indeed it is simplistic and that is what Leonard might like. Though I think he would like anything that anyone loves them self.

Hi Brady ~

That's a wonderful watercolour of Genie. She looks very lovely and is clearly enjoying the sun. Even in its non-literal way, it's like seeing the real her. A great feeling for and rendering of the whiteness of the light and the blue of the sea.

Though I think he would like anything that anyone loves them self.

I think you're so right here. It just seems to be his nature, doesn't it? So accepting, affirming, and gracious.

I lived in the Keys for seven years [could very well be the best years of my adult life] on Big Pine Key. Don't know if you've been there to visit your friend, but I know you know it's certainly nothing like Utah .

I'm glad Leonard settled on "6 pretty women" .

Welcome to the Forum, Brady .


~ Lizzy

Dear Lizzy
I just came back to this forum because someone left a message for me and I can't find it anywhere. Though while I was searching I saw your comments about the watercolor I did of Genie lying on the beach on the Bay of Corinth. She has since been in a car accident and recovered. That stillness seems to have been dismantled somehow. Missed Len's concert in Colorado. Would love to go to the Keys as it seems to be one of the best places for artists and watercolor paintings perhaps. Went to see Hangover last night. What funny movie. Hope Lisa Ling's sister, Laura is taken out of prison soon. Well don't really know what else to say. Dianne

Hi Dianne ~

I'm sorry you weren't able to get to Colorado, too. We could've met there. You're right about the Keys being a great place for artists. The light there is such a white light... like living under a permanent skylight. I'm not an artist, but I've heard plenty say that the lighting there really bodes well for painting... watercolours, especially, but oils and acrylic, too. The atmosphere is great for artists, too... and the backdrops are magnificent.

I'm sorry to hear that Genie was in a car accident and was especially relieved to see that she also recovered.

Yes, that's horrible about Lisa and the other woman. I hope it's just political posturing and they will not have to spend a single day in a hard labor camp, much less years in one.


~ Lizzy