Poem Analysis - Happens To The Heart

A Meditation on the Heart's Fate

Leonard Cohen's "Happens to the Heart" is a ruminative and melancholic exploration of love, loss, and disillusionment. The poem unfolds as a series of vignettes, each offering a glimpse into the speaker's life and the painful lessons learned. A persistent undercurrent of weariness and resignation permeates the verses, punctuated by moments of cynical humor and self-awareness. The tone is conversational, almost confessional, as if the speaker is sharing intimate secrets with the reader. The poem maintains a steady mood throughout, although there are fleeting hints of regret and acceptance, revealing a complex emotional landscape.

Leonard Cohen: A Life Reflected

While not explicitly autobiographical, "Happens to the Heart" echoes many of the themes and concerns that run throughout Leonard Cohen's body of work. Cohen, a Canadian singer-songwriter and poet, was known for his deeply introspective and often darkly humorous explorations of love, faith, and the human condition. His life, marked by periods of intense creativity, spiritual searching, and romantic entanglements, likely provided ample fodder for the experiences and observations captured in this poem. Knowing Cohen's propensity for blending personal experience with broader philosophical inquiries helps illuminate the poem's layered meaning.

The Erosion of Ideals: Disillusionment and Loss

One of the central themes of the poem is the erosion of ideals and the inevitable disillusionment that comes with experience. The speaker's journey is marked by a series of failures and disappointments: "Sure it failed my little fire / But it’s bright the dying spark." These lines reveal a sense of resignation, acknowledging the fading of youthful passions. The repeated refrain, "What happens to the heart," suggests a deep questioning of the nature of love and the pain it can inflict. The imagery of "slaves...chained and charred" implies that the ideals of love and justice are often compromised, leaving the heart scarred and weary.

Love's Complexities: Beyond the Surface

Another key theme is the complexity and often destructive nature of love. The poem presents love not as a purely romantic or idealistic force, but as something messy, complicated, and even dangerous. The lines "There’s a mist of summer kisses / Where I tried to double-park / The rivalry was vicious / And the women were in charge" suggest a battleground of desire and power. The image of the "pussy in the kitchen / And a panther in the yard" further reinforces this idea, highlighting the duality of domesticity and untamed passion. The phrase, "Just to look at her was trouble / It was trouble from the start" underlines that even seemingly beautiful encounters can lead to pain and regret.

The Burden of Self-Awareness: Knowledge and Regret

The poem also grapples with the burden of self-awareness and the regret that can accompany it. The speaker acknowledges his own complicity in the events that have shaped his life, stating, "I should have seen it coming / You could say I wrote the chart." This admission suggests a recognition of his own patterns and tendencies, yet an inability to escape them. The phrase "prison of the gifted" is particularly striking. It implies that even talent and privilege can become a form of confinement, preventing true connection and understanding. The beggar he studied with further emphasized the fact that experience does not equate happiness and it doesn't prevent scars. The overall effect is a sense of profound melancholy, as the speaker reflects on the choices he has made and the consequences he has faced.

Symbols of Decay: The Dark House and Injured Marchers

Several recurring symbols contribute to the poem's overall message. The image of the "house" that is "dark" despite having "every window" open suggests a sense of inner emptiness and spiritual desolation. It speaks to a fundamental disconnect within the speaker, a hollowness that cannot be filled by external means. The "angel" and "devil" imagery implies an internal struggle between good and evil, further emphasizing the complexity of human nature. The "injured soon to march" represent hope after something has been lost.

Final Thoughts: Acceptance of the Heart's Fate

In conclusion, "Happens to the Heart" is a poignant and introspective poem that explores the complexities of love, loss, and disillusionment. Through vivid imagery, a conversational tone, and recurring symbols, Leonard Cohen crafts a portrait of a speaker grappling with the painful realities of life. The poem ultimately suggests a kind of acceptance, a weary understanding that suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience. The question "What happens to the heart?" remains unanswered, but the poem offers a glimpse into the many ways in which the heart can be wounded, tested, and ultimately, changed by the trials of life, the answer to the question being unique to the life lived.