POETRY MAN

I first discovered Leonard Cohen in a secondhand bookstore nextdoor to our local 7-11. It was 1981. His book Selected Poems by Leonard Cohen was hidden among the stacks of slim volumes in the poetry section. By contrast, this book was thick, had an interesting cover including a very 60s Flower Power kind of author picture right on the front cover, and most importantly, was only a dollar.

I recognized Cohen's name from some of my favorite songs, like the beautiful and haunting "Suzanne" that I listened to on a Judy Collins album in the library of the college I was attending while I did my homework, "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye," also by Judy Collins, and of course, "Bird on A Wire," which was covered masterfully by Joe Cocker on his live album Mad Dogs and Englishman and was a favorite tune of my father's (see related memory). What I loved about all of those songs were the powerful and emotional lyrics, so it made perfect sense to me that Cohen must also be a poet.

As I stood there flipping through the pages, I lost all sense of time. I tumbled headlong into the poems, the sensuous imagery, the specific and vivid details, and the beautiful turns of phrase and startling juxtapositioning of words and images. At the cashier counter, I couldn't pull out my dollar bill fast enough. To this day, it is one of my favorite books of poetry. And Leonard Coehn is one of my favorite writers.

Fast forward ten years: It is 1992. I am hanging out with a friend of mine who makes his living as a professional comedian. We are at The Improv at Pacific Beach, just north of downtown San Diego. The show is over, the audience has gone, and as usual, the manager of the club is playing music as the crowd files out. During past shows, he has played Social Distortion, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. But tonight I'm hearing a different kind of music. Dark, yet playful. Haunting. Nearly eerie in its moodiness. But most of all, the lyrics are what get me.

Evocative.

Sensual.

Emotional.

Who is this? I asked. And what's the name of the album?

His name is Leonard Cohen, the club manager said. I think he's a writer.

He is, I said.

I went out and bought I'm Your Man the next day.