Leonard Cohen may be about to release his 14th studio album, but reports suggest that it's highly unlikely that he will tour again.
Cohen has been a regular visitor to Ireland over the last ten years or so, but the now 82-year-old reckons that his time on this mortal coil may soon be drawing to an end.
In somewhat sad comments made in an interview with The New Yorker, Cohen spoke about the many unfinished songs that he has stockpiled. He said: ""I don't think I'll be able to finish those songs. Maybe, who knows? And maybe I'll get a second wind, I don't know. But I don't dare attach myself to a spiritual strategy. I don't dare do that."
He added: "I've got some work to do. Take care of business. I am ready to die. I hope it's not too uncomfortable. That's about it for me."
His comments chime with the recent letter he wrote to Marianne Ihlen - who inspired his songs 'Bird on a Wire' and 'So Long, Marianne' - in which he said: "Well Marianne it's come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon. Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine."
Don't leave us just yet, Len...
