help me find LC poem : 'tyranny of the missionary position'

liamhurley · Post by **liamhurley** » Sun Mar 07, 2004 3:31 am

can you help me?

I'm trying to find the leonard cohen poem which contains a line about "the tyranny of the missionary position" and proposes "orgasms of the ears" / "orgasms of the elbows" or words to this effect.

Does anyone know what I am talking about?

Or have I got the wrong poet?

any advice appreciated

liam h

Tchocolatl · Post by **Tchocolatl** » Sun Mar 07, 2004 6:11 pm

This may be have something to do with the Telephone Dance in/and Beautiful Losers. Why don't have a look at the book? Somewhere.

This is another subject, I know, and a personal observation as well, but it crosses my mind, and this is another opinion I have about Beautiful Losers (among others) : The alternation of debauchery scenes and philosophical reflexions in the novel reminds me of a certain alchimist precept (metaphorically, they are changing lead into gold) that mysticism has roots into dionisiac sex. It is very similar to the buddhism idea (one of my favorite) that lotus flowers have their roots in the mud.

September_Cohen · Post by **September_Cohen** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 7:51 am

It's in the Argentina scene...when F. is trying to drive Edith to the orgasm.

Zabka · Post by **Zabka** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 7:54 am

Wow, I didn't know you could drive there...has anyone got a map!?

Tchocolatl · Post by **Tchocolatl** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 1:49 am

If one could drive someone crasy without a car, I guess that one could drive someone to the orgasm without a map. I'm just surprise that you ask the help of your "best enemy" to reach this state.

Well Well Well. None of my business, ay!

Regarding the other subject, thanks to SG from whom I copied almost the exact words :

As for the rooting of the mystic in the debauchery, I mean that spiritual rise can be achieved only in full knowledge, without scorn and with respect to the weaknesses and the needs of the body, the material contingencies. To pass from the sexual debauchery to Love. To the predation and negation of the other to the opening towards him/her and the respect of him/her; from sex as an end in itself to sex as a space of sharing, gift, blooming.

Zabka · Post by **Zabka** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 7:08 am

Hey Tchoco!

Es un chiste!! I don't recall having a "best enemy" and even so, the question was a generic "has anyone got a map"...I didn't ask for a lift there!

Entonces, no vale la pena!

Ay! Indeed

Tchocolatl · Post by **Tchocolatl** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 4:33 am

Vielen Dank

Funny

Zabka · Post by **Zabka** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 7:02 am

de nada

Nathan · Post by **Nathan** » Sun Mar 21, 2004 7:37 am

Beautiful Losers, page 167 in the latest edition, about 1/5 into A Long Letter from F.:

- That's better, F. Your tongue was nice but you do better as a doctor.
- All right, Edith. What seems to be the trouble now?
- I can't make myself come any more.
- Of course you can't. If we're going to perfect the pan-orgasmic body, extend the erogenous zone over the whole fleshy envelope, popularize the Telephone Dance, then we've got to begin by diminishing the tyranny of the nipples, lips, clitoris, and asshole.
- You're going against God, F. You say dirty words.
- I'll take my chances.
...

Also of interest (page 27-28):

- You lost yourself in particulars. All parts of the body are erotogenic, or at least have the possibility of so becoming....