... Edmonton. I was struggling to put the snowsuit on the baby and in a hurry to drop her off at the sitter and go to my art classes. I had to leave right now or I would miss the bus. I could not leave. I was mesmerized by a voice on CBC.

The lyrics and music gripped my innermost soul, spoke to me, transfixed me as music had done only a few times in my life before: On one occasion a Spanish flamenco guitarist, another time the song of The Nightingale produced by a Hungarian gypsy violin and the only other singing voice to impress me in this way was Edith Piaf.

I listened past the end of the song, waited for the credits. A new voice, Leonard Cohen. I missed the bus, waited 30 minutes for the next one in minus 30 degrees and barely felt the cold. The song was still with me.

Suzanne
36" x 48" (92 x 123 cm)
Acrylic on Canvas

Page 10 and 11 from Homage to Leonard Cohen by Elizabeth Laishley.
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