Leonard Cohen was and still is one of the great writers, performers, and most consistently daring artists of our time. Book of Longing is Cohen’s eagerly awaited new collection of poems, following his highly acclaimed 1984 title, Book of Mercy, and his hugely successful 1993 publication, Stranger Music, a Globe and Mail national bestseller. Book of Longing contains erotic, playful, and provocative line drawings and artwork on every page, by the author, which interact in exciting and unexpected ways on the page with poetry that is timeless, meditative, and at times darkly humorous. The book brings together all the elements that have brought Leonard Cohen’s artistry with language worldwide recognition. Leonard Cohen is one of the most brilliant minds this world has ever seen. It’s quite sad that he joined the group of amazing celebrities to leave this world in 2016.

Leonard Cohen was an eloquently speaking man that saw the world in angles most of us would never think to look. His words, his influence and his music will be dearly missed. This is my favourite collection of his work, such gorgeous little incantations—both poems and song lyrics.

My Time

My time is running out
And still
I have not sung
the true song
the great song

I admit
that I seem
to have lost my courage

a glance at the mirror
a glimpse into my heart
makes me want
to shut up forever

so why do you lean me here
Lord of my life
lean me at this table
in the middle of the night
wondering how to be beautiful