I think the term poet is a very exalted term and should be applied to a man at the end of his work. When he looks back over the body of his work and hes written poetry then let the verdict be that hes a poet. – Leonard Cohen
Let judges secretly despair of justice: their verdicts will be more acute. Let generals secretly despair of triumph killing will be defamed. Let priests secretly despair of faith: their compassion will be true. – Leonard Cohen
Women stand for the objective world for a man. They stand for the thing that youre not and thats what you always reach for in a song. – Leonard Cohen
In dreams the truth is learned that all good works are done in the absence of a caress. – Leonard Cohen
While also, importantly, not wanting to dumb it down or pretend the days of difficult poetry are over, because we live in a pluralist culture and theres room for difficult poetry alongside rap and everything else. And poetry wont be for everyone, but everyone should have the choice. – Andrew Motion