leonardcohenforum.com

I know, he will never die...

But in your poetical mind, what kind of physical death would you wish or forsee for him?

What kind of death do you think he imagines for himself?

Simon

Good heavens, what a question. Many years away.....My prayer is for peacefully, awake, and in his chosen woman's arms, with Adam, Lorca, Esther, and other valued family and friends nearby. He'll forever live in my heart.

I have no idea what he's imagining, at this point, since I'm certain he's already bypassed many other, previous considerations. That's an "ask him" one [as long as you don't expect an answer ].

~ Elizabeth

My prayer is for peacefully, in his sleep, and in his chosen woman's arms

UGH!!! Not so nice for the "chosen woman".


YDF

Some might say: "Better late than never"

hugs from Cia

I had already planned my changes before I read your post, Dr. Freud, but I had to wait until I got home to make them. The only thing I regret with your post is the "Edited" line it created for me. You're right, however; not very fair to the chosen woman.

Simon~

Your questioning Leonard's method of death seems like a consideration of a celebrity "gone haywire."

Would you "poetically" consider this for your mother, father, close relatives, friends, etc....?

Would you want it discussed publicly?

This is only one soul's opinion, but i think this is a terrible inquiry about a subject too personal for us 'fans' to be sticking our noses into.

Regards, Laurie

I understand what you mean, Laurie and agree, in part. I have to keep reminding myself that birth and death are the two things that every person who's ever lived has in common with every other. This way, I can hopefully keep it in better perspective. Since Leonard has written and sung of this absolute eventuality, himself, it seems more within the realm of 'acceptable' to pose such an 'unusual' question, which I know has been considered by more than several people here. I've certainly considered such for myself, my parents, my brother, and my loved one.

I know the idea [though not exact] surfaced in an excellent article/interview of Leonard, by Brian D. Johnson, published in Maclean's [October 15, 2001], titled "Our Poet of the Apocalypse":

To see him in his white room, in the house he bought for a song three decades ago, Leonard looks so completely at home.
So I wonder:
"Where would you like to...?"
"Die?"
"That's the word I was looking for."
"In that bed would be nice," he says, pointing to the soft whiteness in the corner of the room."

Maybe he'll just disappear in a puff of smoke, colour of his choice.

That's what I'm going to do, at any rate

The question kind of reminds me of the Truman Show button "How will it end?". Perhaps we could start making these?

How do you (Simon) think it will end?

It will happen when it happens but I think Leonard knows what to expect:

I said, "Mother, I'm frightened; the thunder and the lightning;
I'll never come through this alone
She said, "I'll be with you, my shawl wrapped around you,
my hand on your head when you go."
And the night came on; it was very calm;
I wanted the night to go on and on,
but she said, "Go back, go back to the world."

JTS

I agree with Laurie. We are all at liberty to discuss our own mortality but I think it is offensive to discuss some one elses.

People's mortality should not be speculated on, however when he does pass through, he will remain immortal in a lot of peoples heart's. His songs will be revered for a long time, his books and poetry studied for years to come etc etc.............
Georges

George, George, George,


What am I going to do with you.

His songs will be revered for a long time, his books and poetry studied for years to come etc, etc.

A few songs will remain. But his books and poetry will disappear off the radar...nobody will be "studying" them...except for a few Judith Fitzgerald clones.

Please don't make me increase your dosage!


YDF

More Peyote please, young Dr, I wish to attain the visions of Huxley and Blake. I should not ramble on about worldly things for they are the shackles that hold us to materialisms.
Up the dosage, please, Doctor!!!!!!
Georges

How can you discuss about that . I feel sorry for Leonard Cohen that his "fans" is wondering about in what way he will die . I myself hopes that he has a good life and that he is doing what he really likes .

MarianneP

The best way to go is the way of advanced yogis: Cast off the exhausted body intentionally by leaving through the brahmarandra, the highest chakra. This has been discussed in Swami Rama's book "Living wth the Himalayan Masters" in an inspiring chapter called "My Master Casts off his Body." All this sentimental crap we can live and die without. Hope that a lifetime of spiritual studies will entitle Cohen to an exit like this.
However if he isn't up to it there was a pleasant practise in the Marquesas Islands, Polynesia before the Christian missionaries put a stop to it. The dying man was placed in his coffin and naked women circled round it and did an obscene dance called the Heva Heva-- so that his last moments would be filled with pleasure and his memory of earth would be the best.("Tu Leur Diras", Maddly Bamy")
That would be second choice for Leonard.