leonardcohenforum.com

Don't forget to remember that there are times when a cigar is just a cigar, as Freud once said.

jdhayes wrote:Don't forget to remember that there are times when a cigar is just a cigar, as Freud once said.

You must remember this
A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh.
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by.

And a cup is just a cup.

I love this song and am trying to see the religious and sexual angles proposed by others but... Darkness symbolises evil, mystery, shadows about to swallow you up, and depression. One verse in particular just seems to speak to anyone who has experienced depression:

"I've got no future, I know my days are few
The present's not that pleasant, just a lot of things to do
I thought the past would last me but the darkness got that to"

That's just my take on it.

Fantastic extract in The Daily Telegraph (UK) today:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/book ... oment.html

Enjoy

I wonder if this poem by Byron was a possible source of inspiration:

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173081

I read a piece the other day, about Shakespeare, highlighting how he was
a master of polysemy. It strikes me that polysemous is an adjective that
can be ascribed, with merit, to the maestro from Montreal.

Ah, receieved email this morning to say that biography had been dispatched.
Most felicitous news.

Not so sure I see the oral sex here, although it is never hard to see that aspect in Leonard's poetry and music. Maybe there is some reference here about becoming trapped in the darkness by what we go after in life. We see something we want, maybe it is beautiful or attractive in some way (you're youn and it was summer), but something about what we want is not right (it was red behind your eyes), we go for it anyways despite our better judgement and get caught in he darkness.

Could be a drug, an experience, a career choice, a religion, or a relationship. The darkness comes as we are unable to get out, we feel almost controlled or helpless against it despite the fact that we hate it.

Great song regardless.

Hey there, welcome to the forum! I totally get where you're coming from. While Leonard Cohen does weave a lot of sensual and intimate themes into his lyrics, "Darkness" never struck me as being explicitly about that. Like you, I always felt it was more about loss, regret, and the creeping weight of depression. The line about the past not lasting really does seem to point toward the betrayal he experienced, rather than something purely physical.

Totally agree with you—while Leonard Cohen often infused sensuality into his lyrics, Darkness always felt more like a reflection on loss, regret, and the slow grip of time. The way he explores the past slipping away and the weight of experience seems much deeper than just a physical interpretation. His songs often work on multiple levels, so it’s interesting to see how different people perceive them. Similarly, modern dating offers different interpretations and approaches. The convenience and flexibility of online platforms make it easier to connect with potential matches anytime, anywhere, fitting seamlessly into busy lifestyles. If you're interested, free lesbian dating site might be a great place to explore new connections.