I wrote my prosery, Slack Tide, in response to Björn Rudberg’s prompt for The d’Verse Leonard Cohen Prosery Prompt. To write prose of just 144 words, and to include the quote from Leonard Cohen’s last album I Want It Darker, “There’s a lullaby for suffering”.
Slack Tide
The waters lapped against me. To-ing and fro-ing. In and out. Coolness swirled about my ankles, ebbing and flowing as though my legs were giant stanchions rooted deep in the seabed.
My ankles looked a long way down. My distant toes distorted by light and water. My head was high in the clouds. I gazed down watching my long skirt swish white in the deep blue ocean.
I stood at the edge of vastness. Seagulls called, swooping above the darkening tide—which was on the turn. Between coming in and going out. Between here and there. The moon’s pull exerting its power. A power mortals cannot bend.
I swayed.
Back and forth.
The surf playing a soft song against my skin. There’s a lullaby for suffering in the in between. My feet were cold. It was time to wade further in or turn around.
Lesley Scoble, March 2025
Leonard Cohen’s Final UK Concert Tour
I have special, unforgettable memories of Leonard Cohen’s final British Concert Tour. My brother was his tour manager—and here is a photo of Michael rehearsing on stage with the great poet.
You Want it Darker
You Want it Darker ranks high on my Leonard Cohen favourites list. They released this amazing album (I listen to it constantly) just one month before his death in 2016.
THANKS
My thanks to Björn Rudberg and the d’Verse Poets, for the inspiring prosery prompt.
My thanks to Leonard Cohen for his genius.
My thanks to my brother for being… my brilliant brother.
Last but not least, my thanks to you for reading.
Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; mime artist; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.
LesleyScoble.com 
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