Hello and welcome to you all for this Open Link Night. This is Gayle and I’m happy to be your host for the next couple of days.
As August winds down and all of the Leo birthdays in my family have been celebrated my thoughts now turn to the Virgos in the family…me included. My oldest daughter was born one day after my birthday which is on the 5th of September…what an amazing gift that year. My granddaughter Mira was born on the 3rd of September. So every year we have a big party for her and then at some point in the week we all head out to dinner together where aunties, grandmas, nieces, (a new baby sister!) and anyone else around gathers for our “Virgopalooza” celebration. Hard to believe Mira is turning five years old! My gosh, where has the time gone? This year I’m also going to have an extra sister and my oldest brother from California visiting so the fun will be enhanced even more.
I discovered that Leonard Cohen was also a Virgo and so decided to showcase one of his poems/songs that was beautifully recorded by Judy Collins in 1966. I’ve included a video where you can hear her lovely voice and the lyrics follow.
Suzanne
Leonard Cohen
Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by, you can spend the night forever
And you know that she’s half-crazy but that’s why you want to be there
And she feeds you tea and oranges that come all the way from China
And just when you mean to tell her that you have no love to give her
Then he gets you on her wavelength
And she lets the river answer that you’ve always been her lover
And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind
And you know that she will trust you
For you’ve touched her perfect body with your mind
And Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water
And he spent a long time watching from his lonely wooden tower
And when he knew for certain only drowning men could see him
He said all men will be sailors then until the sea shall free them
But he himself was broken, long before the sky would open
Forsaken, almost human, he sank beneath your wisdom like a stone
And you want to travel with him, and you want to travel blind
And you think you maybe you’ll trust him
For he’s touched your perfect body with her mind
Now, Suzanne takes your hand and she leads you to the river
She’s wearing rags and feathers from Salvation Army counters
And the sun pours down like honey on our lady of the harbor
And she shows you where to look among the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed, there are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love and they wil lean that way forever
While Suzanne holds her mirror
And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind
And you know that you can trust her
For she’s touched your perfect body with her mind
Songwriters: Leonard Cohen
Suzanne lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
As you know, for Open Link Night there is no prompt or other instructions for writing; you are on your own to share what you will with your fellow writers…ONE poem only please.
I look forward to reading your choices. Gayle ~
To share your poem follow these instructions:
⦁ Write a poem on your blog.
⦁ Enter a link directly to your poem and add your name by clicking Mr Linky below. There you will find links to other poets’ writings, and more will be joining in during the next 48 hours.
⦁ Read and comment on other poet’s work, we all come here to have our poems read and acknowledged.
⦁ Please link back to dVerse from your site/blog.
⦁ Comment and participate in our discussion below if you like. We are a friendly bunch.
⦁ Enjoy!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Hello Gayle, love the songs and lyrics by Leonard Cohen… a great inspiration. Happy Thursday
Bodhirose said:
Good afternoon from Florida and welcome to the pub!
Bodhirose said:
Happy Thursday, Bjorn and thank you!
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Grace said:
I will listen to this in a bit. Thanks for hosting Gayle ~ Happy Thursday from cool Toronto city !!!!
Bodhirose said:
You’re welcome, Grace, happy to be here! It’s even a wee bit cooler here today.
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ladynyo said:
Oh I love this song. Makes me cry. Hello, all. And a Happy OLN today! Thought I would try a love poem. bah.
Bodhirose said:
I love it too, Jane. I remember when it first came out. Happy OLN and can’t wait to read your love poem. Why the “bah”? You’re so expert at them…or are you becoming cynical?
whippetwisdom said:
Happy OLN everyone and thank you for hosting tonight Gayle! I love this Leonard Cohen song and had not heard this version by Judy Collins before – what a beautiful voice! :o) xxx
Bodhirose said:
Hi Xenia and happy OLN, so nice to see you as always. Judy Collins’ voice is amazing. Her rendition is superb.
kim881 said:
Hi Gayle and all you Thursday night poets! I’m afraid I’m not stopping long as I’ve had an adverse reaction to some dental work and will be off to bed shortly. I’ll be back early in the morning to read and comment, when, hopefully, the pain in my tooth won’t be so bad and I’ll be feeling less nauseous. I was looking forward to reading some excellent poems this evening, too…
Bodhirose said:
Hi Kim, I’m very sorry to hear of your ill effects from dental work but it sure can happen. I hope you wake up free of pain and nausea. xo
kim881 said:
I’ve been up almost an hour and the nausea seems to have subsided while the tooth is still niggling. I’ll have the temporary inlay removed and the permanent one put in on 11th September. I hope that will be less troublesome. Can’t stand anything to do with teeth. Next Tuesday I will collect my new glasses. Sounds like they’re rebuilding me by by bit! At least they can’t remove my sense of humour 😉
Bodhirose said:
Well at least the nausea is gone…that’s rough to deal with on top of being in pain, Kim. I’m fortunate that I haven’t needed any real involved dental work and I need new glasses too. Time to go for the eye exam and get it done. So glad our senses of humor don’t need to be removed! 🙂 xo
kim881 said:
🙂 xx
kim881 said:
Thank you, Gayle xxx
kanzensakura said:
Get better soon!!! ❤
kim881 said:
Thank you Toni.
lillian said:
ooooh Kim….so sorry. Take care and feel better soon! ❤
kim881 said:
Thank you, Lillian.
Frank Hubeny said:
Thanks for hosting, Gayle! I’ve linked a short acrostic poem. I’m experimenting with that form. I think this is the first time I’m written one of these.
Bodhirose said:
Hi Frank, and you’re welcome. I love acrostic poems and have written maybe a hand full of them…they’re fun.
Glenn Buttkus said:
Finally, I am back in the groove. After the break, on OLN I had surgery that day, so no writing for me, but today I managed another epic episode of BLACKTHORNE. We are in the middle of a buffalo shoot, & my last episode seemed too graphic for some members, I reminded folks that violence is a big part of any Western saga. Today’s scene is still in the middle of things. I write graphically about violence–like McCarthy’s BLOOD MERIDIAN. I guess my writing is good, too good, if it conjures up emotional responses, So, for the gentler poets among us, skim things today if you are not up to it. I love & respect all the dVersers, so don’t let my rough edges put you off; smile.
Bodhirose said:
So glad you’re back in the groove, Glenn, and hope you’ve recovered from your surgery. Your last installment was graphic but like you said that was the way of the times back then…I totally get it. I can take it! 🙂
kanzensakura said:
I love you dearly Glenn and your work but …. I skimmed and went on past!
lillian said:
Oooooh so glad you hear you are bouncing back from surgery and “back in the saddle again” with BLACKTHORNE. You know me….squeamish at the violent scenes even though I LOVE reading your Blackthorne. So I shall skim today (but still reply) — thanks for the warning….Well….I can probably read it all with a little guard up to protect myself from the scene 🙂
Colin Lee said:
Hello folks. Friday morning here. Bed bugs kept me up all night — the hurricane yesterday must have driven them crawlies indoors. My dormitory can definitely use some wintry air. Back from my hiatus since my little Christy’s birth two weeks ago … officially a proud father of three. Cheers! 🙂
Bodhirose said:
Congratulations for the birth of your third wee one, Colin! That’s very exciting news and hope little Christy and Mama are doing well. Sorry about the bed bug infestation. I’ve never had to deal with those things and I hope I never do. Cheers! 🙂
Bodhirose said:
P.S. Colin…what hurricane and where? The one down near Texas?
Colin Lee said:
Re the hurricane, the one that wrecked havoc in Hong Kong and killed a few people in Macau on Wednesday. (We’re safe.)
Bodhirose said:
Oh gosh, that one! I didn’t know where you were located Colin. Very glad you all are safe. There is a category 4 hurricane that just made landfall tonight on the coast of Texas, U.S. tonight.
Colin Lee said:
We just had another one yesterday. 😦
Bodhirose said:
Oh no! Stay safe, Colin. 🙂
Colin Lee said:
Oh, guess what? A third one is now brewing in the sea, while Macau, our sister town, has barely recovered yet… Climate change is real.
Bodhirose said:
Oh my gosh…this is crazy, Colin! Several years ago when I lived in Orlando, we had three hurricanes criss-cross right over us within several days of each other. That was a bit much! Take care and be safe especially with that new, wee baby of yours.
Colin Lee said:
Thanks, Gayle. Wishing you and your girls a happy birthday in advance. 🙂 Christy is well. Mama is physically well, but mentally drained, which makes me feel sort of guilty to show up at the pub. But then again, I’m alone in the factory on the weekdays, where between bed bugs and poetry the choice is obvious. Ha!
Bodhirose said:
Thanks for the birthday greetings, Colin. It’s perfectly normal for Mama to feel drained and I don’t think you need to feel guilty about it. I’m glad you chose to hang with us a while. 🙂
lillian said:
Oh a new wee little one….cause for celebration at the pub today! Congratulations!
Colin Lee said:
Thank you, Lillian! 🙂
kanzensakura said:
Hi Gayle! Love the lyrics from Cohen. Good to see you here.
Bodhirose said:
Hi Toni…thanks! I love that song too.
kanzensakura said:
Happy birthday soon Gayle! I love it – virgopalooza…..what a nice smile maker.
Bodhirose said:
Thank you…yep that’s what we call it! 🙂
Sanaa Rizvi (@rizvi_sanaa) said:
Happy OLN everyone 🙂
Bodhirose said:
Welcome, Sanaa. 🙂
lillian said:
Hi Gayle and all dVersers! Happy Thursday! Believe it or not…..I am still struggling with a tanka I’ve had in my craw all day….Hope to get it up in a bit….and I’ll be moseying up to the bar again at about 5:30. 🙂
Bodhirose said:
Hi Lillian, happy to see you here and I look forward to reading that obstinate tanka that you’re trying to write!
lillian said:
Ugh….finally done and posted. Sometimes the shortest poems can test us the most…the birthing process of the words can be very slow and arduous — even though the impetus/idea for the poem is right there on the tip of our pen!
Bodhirose said:
So true, Lill, I’m glad you kept after that poem! Poetry writing isn’t for the faint of heart! xo
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lynn__ said:
Hi Gayle and a Happy Birthday to your granddaughter! My Dad turns 84 on Sept. 2nd 🙂 Sharing a sonnet inspired by Bjorn’s earlier prompt…and infused with recent “news” stories. Love the poets here…good poetry is stimulating for the mind and soothing for the soul!
Bodhirose said:
Hi Lynn and thank you for the birthday greetings for little Mira and birthday greetings for your Dad. I agree with you about the talented poets that gather here and the stimulating and soothing effect their work can provide. Thanks for being here! xo
lynn__ said:
My pleasure, Gayle…gonna “hit the trail” now 😉
merrildsmith said:
Hi Gayle–happy birthday to the Leos and Virgos in your family. My mom is 95 today! I love Leonard Cohen’s songs, but I first heard Suzanne in this version (long ago). I’ve written a Haibun based on a storm from a couple of nights ago.
Bodhirose said:
Hi Merril, and thank you for the birthday wishes for everyone and happy birthday to your mother at 95 years of age…wow! I think this was the first version I heard too in 1966 when I was about 15 years of age. I look forward to reading your haibun.
merrildsmith said:
Thank you so much!
I was probably about fifteen also when I first heard it.
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erbiage said:
Greetings friends! Thank you for this opportunity to get deeper into LC. You want it darker? Oof!
My poem I put up yesterday for a prompt, now I’m sharing it here too. I hope that’s ok.
lillian said:
Nice to see you here tonight! Of course it’s okay….that’s why we call it Open Link Night. I always love the variety that’s posted on OLN Thursdays! 🙂
lillian said:
Lillian here —- I think Gayle is stepping out of the bar for a bit so I’ll be serving sangria, some ice cold iced tea, and keeping the OPEN sign out ready to imbibe lots of your creative words tonight and tending to the pub.
ZQ said:
I think I’ll mosey into the bar tonight 🙂
Grace said:
Hi ZQ! Good to see you 🙂
lillian said:
Nice to see you tonight, ZQ!
peterfrankiswrites said:
Hi folks, new to this pub – looks good – posted an older sonnet about beaches and windy days (and love of course) as the seasons change. Cheers
Bodhirose said:
Thanks for the pub coverage, Lillian and Grace. I’m back on duty for awhile for any later evening postings and then will pick it back up in the morning again.
lillian said:
Great! I’ve just replied with comments on late-posted poems…several that do not Tag or link to dVerse. Within my comments I mention dVerse and ask them to add a Tag or link so that others may join us. The more the merrier! Shall close out then tonight and hit the pillow. 🙂 Always glad to tend the pub….I’ve enjoyed a marguerite complete with little parasol in your absence 🙂
Bodhirose said:
Thank you for filling in for me tonight, Lill, I so appreciated it. And thank you for your gentle reminders for those to link back to dVerse. I’m signing out now as well…good night my friend. xo
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peterfrankiswrites said:
Well this is a nice looking pub – good crowd and all. Have posted a sonnet in response to a windy day and seasons changing. Loving the poetry this evening. Cheers Peter.
Bodhirose said:
Well, you’re right, Peter…this is a good crowd and so glad you decided to pop in today. Welcome!
Gayle
Bryan Ens said:
I *finally* wrote part X of a sonnet cycle I started far too long ago (part IX was posted over a year ago)
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Oh.. glad to see you coming back to that.
Bodhirose said:
Hey, Bryan, I think I remember that series you were working on so long ago. I look forward to reading part X.
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memadtwo said:
Leonard Cohen is always appropriate!
Thanks for the opportunity to participate (it takes me awhile to respond to specific prompts, and I’m mostly too late to link…)
Bodhirose said:
Yes, his work is always appropriate, I agree. Well, with Open Link Night there is no prompt so you can get a poem written in advance and have it ready to post. I do understand about the time crunch when a prompt comes out. Sometimes it’s difficult to come up with something “on the spot.” Thank you for your message here. I do hope you’ll try to link something in the future.
Gayle
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ayala said:
Wishing you and yours many blessings! Love Leonard Cohen!
Bodhirose said:
Thanks so much, Ayala, and many blessings to you and your loved ones, especially that new wee lad.
Kathy Reed said:
Hurricanes, birthdays, babies born, surgeries..a lot going on around the dverse world as I read the above. Lastly, I quickly wrote my prose poem today without much coercing from my muse…I don’t know if that is good or bad. Thanks for tending bar today, Gayle, and I’ll catch up with reading in over the weekend!
Bodhirose said:
I know, a lot going on with many of us, Kathy. So good to have you here and I’ll be doing some catching up this weekend as well. xo
Imelda said:
I am very late to the party, but I am glad to be able to join. 🙂
Bodhirose said:
Hi Imelda…always very happy to see you and glad you’re here. 🙂 xo
revivedwriter said:
Thank you for sharing that song. Beautiful lyrics and a stunning voice!
Bodhirose said:
You’re welcome, I love that one too!