The Poem Anthem by Leonard Cohen - Essay Example

?Cohen, the Birds and the Song Leonard Cohen has been known to have declared that the poem Anthem was his best out all of the body of works he has penned in his lifetime. The reason for this is quite simple, the poem is an emotional song about survival and hope and potency of the message is strong as the reader will find himself immersed in a lyrical demonstration of frustration and faith to the ideals that the author believed in. The first part was all about moving on. The simplicity and logic of life as one that require for us to continuously live by the moment was defined by the bird, which according to the author sings every morning regardless of what has transpired the previous day or what is in store in the future. If there was rain, or storm, or hunger, the other day or maybe tomorrow, the bird trudges on, unmindful of the pain and sorrows that could have weighed people down. So it was with life, Cohen used the birdsong to remind his readers that everyday is an experience, the past is gone and the future is still inconsequential. This very moment is what is important and perhaps this point of view is the author’s version of the best way to live a life. With the birds, Cohen also introduced the concept of freedom, which he would further explain in his words about the dove later on. The bird is free from any baggage and so it can proceed on singing regardless of what has transpired before. It is, indeed, a powerful concept to emphasize the simplicity of life if one only takes the right kind of perspective. This introduction excellently laid the foundation for the more complex themes that would be explored by the author. In reality, for Cohen, “the dove is never free”. If it is, presently, “she will be caught again bought and sold and bought again”. Is it then a tragedy? The thought is heart-wrenching especially when one remembers those who have fallen just so the dove can fly. Emotions ran high here. The dove is an endearing symbol that evokes some sense from people to protect it. If one “listens” more carefully, Cohen seemed to hint another meaning or concept that the dove should represent – bondage. It is the dove’s fate to be chained as much as it represents war itself. Put in another way, wars would not have occurred if there was no dove in the first place. These thoughts would assault your mind as you read the lines about the bird being sold and bought like it was the most natural thing in the world. It is frustrating that wars will be fought again and again, promising a tiring battle that could break the human spirit. Fortunately, the message is not all about this sad narrative at all. As with the very first passage, this part was used to emphasize a more important message. Immediately following this dark passage is a line that talked about the “crack”. And this was more significant since it paved the way for the main theme of the poem – survival, hope and persistence of the human spirit. It is interesting that they could all be excellently depicted by the word “crack”: There is a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in. Cohen also managed to infuse religious theme in two lines and they were added as if like an afterthought or a respite after some hard labor: Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering Its proximity to the “hope” and “war” themes, they also represented a transition towards the lines about the government. The religious theme, however, is stronger. With the two lines, Cohen asked for some form of awareness: Which of the bells no longer ring? Which are those that still can? And what is the perfect offering? These questions that the readers would eventually ask have some important implications. First, there is something not right with many religions or what they expect from their flock. We want to be saved but then Cohen is suggesting that many ways posited by the churches could be flawed and so we must ring those that still can and offer something different, one that though may not be perfect must be suitable. It is interesting, how these two lines could elicit deep thoughts and self-reflection. “Light” was also used in the religious context after these lines. There is an implication of an inevitable sensory and spiritual awareness that enable people to open themselves to a hand from God. In this respect, the “light” was seen as a gift. Following the flow of the poem, Cohen eventually led his song to the more contemporary issue of the government. The depiction is quite comprehensive – social and family issues like discrimination and marriage, corruption committed with impunity in the bureaucracy, the degeneration of people into a lawless mass. They were packed in phrases like “birth betrayed” “widowhood of the government” and “killers in high places”. The author allowed his train of thought to lead him into protest. With a growing dissatisfaction, he would “ring the bell” along with the suggestion that the groundswell would eventually come as people “add up the parts.” The light was used to depict enlightenment, dissatisfaction and courage. The way this argument is explained demonstrate the idea that revolt and dissension is as natural as breathing or the way a tree provides shade. You can add up the parts You won’t have the sum You can strike up the march, There is no drum Cohen must have believed that people do not need prodding or champions to lead them. There was only the emphasis to every individual’s heart. The outcome might come in trickles just like how stealthily refugees escape in the night, but as the cracks multiply and grow, with the light getting in, people would finally choose to leave a jaded and apathetic life and offer something that will crack everything. `The National Anthem covered many themes but above all, with the words and phrases employed by Cohen, he was able to express them by arguing that the human spirit can be inherently good, persistent and brave. When all else fails and the dark permeates, the bell will ring and there would always be cracks for the light to creep in. Read More