A LIMITED DEGREEAs soon as I understood
(even to a limited degree)
that this is G-d's world
I began to lose weight
immediately
At this very moment
I am wearing
my hockey uniform
from the Sixth Grade
“A Limited Degree” from Book of Longing by Leonard Cohen © 2006. Published by McClelland & Stewart Ltd. Used with permission of the publisher.
9 comments:
Good to read a "lean" poem. Say it and get out. I like it.
Love it! Want to read more Cohen now. Thanks.
I do so love Leonard Cohen. And wow - to have the ability to accomplish so much in so little space!
"Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash."
~ Leonard Cohen
Did you happen to catch 'Everybody Knows' on CBC? Stephen Page of BNL singing "Memories"--cleverly cool!
It's funny, my brother-in-law is not a fan of Cohen or poetry but he had free tickets to see him and now he won't stop talking about how good a show it was!
I wish I could be that succinct and effective. I guess that's why I am not Leonard Cohen.
I love it. I am not versed in Cohen, and I think that needs to change. Thanks for posting this.
Hi, John, I chanced across your blog while chasing down some links on short stories, and as I read through some of your excellent and very enjoyable entries, it occcurred to me that you're the John Mutford I taught in Kindergarten....yes?
Cathy Simpson aka "teacher" ;)http://iwritebooks.livejournal.com/
simpsonoxford AT yahoo DOT com
Sara: It's certainly concise!
Jama: Glad to hear that.
Kelly: I love how "I am wearing/ my hockey uniform/ from the Sixth Grade" manages to be humble and full of bravado at the same time.
Wanda: Great quote. And unfortunately no, I missed that airing.
Chris: I so badly want to see him in concert. I doubt he's planning a trip to Yellowknife anytime soon, though.
Barbara: I'm assuming you also aren't a tenor?
Allison: Are you into his music at all?
Cathy: My old kindergarten teacher?! I'm flabbergasted that you remember me. I'm going to write you an email...
Post a Comment