We have all been living amongst words this last while.
An American election seems to be best explained by saying that the media took Trump’s words literally, but didn’t take him seriously. His followers took him seriously, but didn’t take his words literally. To his followers, apparently, he was a great poet – touching a nation’s soul through words that were metaphorical and emotional.
Leonard Cohen died last week.
Cohen was an icon to the generation of the 60’s, and continued to weave his web of words amongst the following generations. His music and poetry were said to be “human”, melancholy and deeply rooted in the soul. His song, Hallelujah, carries allusions to the Bible, the contemporary, and the context of the generation.
Some would say that Cohen expressed the deep yearning of the generations he mentored – a yearning for connection and unconditional love. Truly a chord touched Canadians and others around the world through this poet.
Interestingly Cohen’s song, Hallelujah, was originally tucked away in an album that seemed to have little consequence (Various Positions – 1984). Supposedly he wrote at least 80 verses to the song, then pared it down to just a few. Today we know that over 300 musical cover versions have been forthcoming. Others of his songs reached status in the music world – I listened to Suzanne more than once in my youth – a mournful song of love lost.
This is the context of this past week.
Two poets – two culture-shapers.
Someone has said that the best poetry is written prior to understanding – both of the poet and of the society. The words touch us in our subconscious, bringing to bear the weight of the world on receptive souls.
What words are you not sure you understand, but somehow they touch you? Perhaps a song, or the theme of a book, or the gnawing sense of angst (the unknown) that a video creates in you.
I trust that you are listening to the spirit that pushes you to a better life. I trust that you are listening for the words of hope and promise. I trust that you are open to someone greater than yourself speaking words of life into your life.
