It was right before Christmas in - I think it was 1973. I was getting ready to leave for home the next day, but that day, I was stuck in the dorm after a blizzard with about 5 other people including a friend's brother who had brought what I shall refer to as 'some really good shit' and it went along with passed around bottles. That night, we sat in the day room (accidental pun) and someone (me, I think) dragged their stereo speakers out onto the balcony that circled (squared?) the floor above us. We had Leonard Cohen's 'Songs of Love and Hate' cranked up, and I understood every word. I understood the meaning of the words, the meaning of the meaning, and I'm pretty sure I was just a tad away from grasping the meaning of life.

Anyway, I woke up the next day and didn't remember any of it except that I had understood it all. To this day, I wish I could remember what I was thinking, although it would probably be more funny than insightful. I did come away with the belief that although Cohen is the darkest of the dark, that darkness, warmed by humor and gentleness is what makes some things shine so bright.