To A Teacher

Leonard Cohen's recent albums - share your views with others!
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lizzytysh
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To A Teacher

Post by lizzytysh »

The two opening lines of this song are particularly poignant for me each time I listen:
"Hurt once and for all into silence.
A long pain ending without a song to prove it."
The flames about Klein's head in the drawing seem so appropriate, conjunct with the lyrics of this song....."And now the silent loony bin, where / The shadows live in the rafters like / Day-weary bats," ~ I know I show my ignorance asking before I even Google his name, but this song seems to suggest that Klein ended up in [at least a virtual] home for the aged, having lost his mental strengths, or even faculties, and where Leonard went to visit him. Can you anyone give a history of Klein's later years? He certainly seems to have been a much-admired and stern teacher, whose acceptance and respect Leonard always desired.

His final lines are equally poignant to his beginning ones:
"I have entered under this dark roof / As fearlessly as an honoured son / Enters his father's house."
Leonard's love for this man is unending.

~ Lizzy
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linmag
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Post by linmag »

As always, I can't remember where I read it :oops: but I think the 'loony-bin' thing is to be taken literally. I think Mr Klein withdrew from reality rather earlier than to a home for the aged.
Linda

1972: Leeds, 2008: Manchester, Lyon, London O2, 2009: Wet Weybridge, 2012: Hop Farm/Wembley Arena
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lizzytysh
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Post by lizzytysh »

Thanks, Linmag. Then, the home was literal for Klein, his own. His mental status was as I'd gleaned. Thanks.
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