Avalanche

Leonard Cohen's song 'Avalanche' is a haunting exploration of the human psyche, pain, and the complexities of relationships. The lyrics convey a sense of being overwhelmed, as suggested by the metaphor of an avalanche covering the soul. This could represent a sudden and devastating emotional event that has deeply affected the narrator's life, burying his true self beneath a metaphorical 'golden hill'—perhaps a reference to unattainable ideals or the facade that one presents to the world.

The song's narrator speaks to an unnamed 'you,' who seems to be both a caretaker and a source of pain. The relationship between the two is complex; the narrator is depicted as a 'cripple' who is neither starved nor cold, suggesting that while his physical needs may be met, there is a deeper, unaddressed suffering. The 'you' in the song is instructed to learn to serve and understand the narrator to conquer pain, indicating a power dynamic where true empathy and service are the paths to healing.

Cohen's use of religious and legal imagery, such as kneeling and laws, alongside the personal and intimate, such as the sharing of bread crumbs, creates a rich tapestry of meaning. The song touches on themes of identity, the burden of emotional scars, and the search for genuine connection. The narrator's longing for the 'you' despite claiming to have no need or greed suggests a complex emotional interdependence. The closing lines, where the narrator claims to wear the flesh of the beloved, imply a deep and possibly destructive merging of identities.