CONTEXT: 'SUZANNE'

I have gained a better understanding of Leonard Cohen's poem Suzanne after I read an interview with Suzanne Verdal regarding the time she and Leonard spent together, which had served as an inspiration to his poem (http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/verdal.html). In 1965, she had recently separated from Armand Vaillancourt, who was a mutual friend of theirs. Suzanne and her daughter were living on the waterfront of the St. Lawrence waterway, and Leonard would go to visit her there where they would drink tea and eat mandarin oranges. Suzanne had a strong creative drive, and at that time, she enjoyed making clothing out of items that she had salvaged from the Salvation Army. She and Leonard would often light a candle together; she would say prayers, and they would discuss spirituality, art, and inspiration for their work together.