Eleanor Rigby

I’m one of the  lonely,
the oh so lonely people
missing your subtle smile.
You were a pretty blue eyed beauty,
with unkept hair and go go boot style.

Eleanor, Eleanor Rigby,
you lived down on the corner.
I’d see you stand inside your door,
staring blankly at the floor.
They told me, yes they told me,
you didn’t care any more.

The nightmare you lived,
It’s so sad it seems.
So you left your face in the jar by the bed,
because it couldn’t conceal your screams.
I hear them sing songs about you,
you still live in their dreams.

Those lonely people,
those sad lonely people.
They crave a glimpse of you.
So they make up their stories,
but none of them are true.
They keep saying they know,
but we know they never knew.
Each one trying to grab onto,
a small piece of you.

Do you remember,
Old Father McKenzie?
I listened to the words of the sermon
that the others couldn’t hear.
I wished you were here,
Oh how I wished you were here.
As I drank of his wine
I swallowed a tear,
thinking you were behind me
as I stared at the mirror.
Don’t worry Eleanor Rigby,
there’s nothing left to fear.

I know the man that you loved
was taken from you.
No reason, no reason that’s true
For you there was not to be, 
a life long happy “I do”
“Do you take this man, Eleanor Rigby?”
Down the aisle you walked alone.
Why oh why was he taken from you?

After you were buried,
alone I went to your grave.
Always afraid, always afraid.
Why didn’t I ever talk to you?
I’ve never been one who is brave,
I guess that’s why,
I’m one of the lonely people.
So I saved you Eleanor Rigby
by throwing you from the Steeple!
I know, I know it’s good to be free,
so for a while I’ll keep you company.
It’s ok Eleanor Rigby,
there’s no need, 
no need at all to thank me.
Together with him,
you are meant to be.






For Jerry T Curtis’s: Who Was Eleanor Rigby?  Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

12
Brul Avatar
April 16, 2020 at 2:26 AM
The title of the poem brought me here knowing and loving that Beatles' song. Ahhh, look at all that lonely people!
Lamoureux Avatar
April 16, 2020 at 8:37 AM
Good morning. Thanks for taking time to read this one.
Robinson Jr. Avatar
September 21, 2019 at 9:04 AM
I agree w/Judy ... a cool poetic tribute to a GrEaT Beatles' song. This indigo ink imagery is a muse mural of much deep inner reflection. This is an instant PSoup classic! Love and joy always.
Lamoureux Avatar
September 21, 2019 at 10:12 AM
Hi Freddie, so good to see you buddy. ;0)
Ball Avatar
September 15, 2019 at 1:12 PM
Really good reading here. Excellent imagery and wonderful emotion. Recognized it right off as a tribute to the Beatles song. Great job Richard. God Bless, JB
Lamoureux Avatar
September 16, 2019 at 12:31 AM
Thanks Judy, I am blessed by comments like yours.
Poetry Avatar
September 13, 2019 at 11:47 PM
Touching poem about ER... She was a maid who died at the age of 44, in 1939.12 Sep 2017... This song is one of my favorites from the Fab 4... your work is splendid my friend salute alkas
Lamoureux Avatar
September 14, 2019 at 7:59 AM
Thanks Alkas, much appreciated.
Mcferran Avatar
September 13, 2019 at 7:20 PM
I'm not often a fan of "song tribute" type poems... but this is absolutely mesmerizing! Terrific work, definitely going on my FAV list! ;)
Lamoureux Avatar
September 13, 2019 at 7:25 PM
Thanks Rhona, I am honoured. Hugs Rick.
Smith Avatar
September 11, 2019 at 12:59 PM
Reaches out to more than one soul I think. A thousand or more will be giving thanks that someone captured a moment in time, they could not. Best regards David in NZ
Lamoureux Avatar
September 13, 2019 at 7:26 PM
Mine is a fictional account. I do wonder about the actual story.
Mcguire Avatar
September 11, 2019 at 10:43 AM
Great poen with a twist, loved it!
Lamoureux Avatar
September 11, 2019 at 11:18 AM
Thanks for your visits Timothy. Welcome to my corner of the soup.
Devonshire Avatar
September 9, 2019 at 2:05 PM
Wow! I wasn't expecting that ending, Richard. Very interesting and absorbing poem that well conveys your message. Powerful emotions! I'm sure this will do well in the contest. Best wishes for success, Carolyn
Lamoureux Avatar
September 9, 2019 at 2:12 PM
Thanks Carolyn, I think I have watched to many episodes of Dexter *lol*.
Canerdy Avatar
September 8, 2019 at 2:19 PM
So descriptive and moving, Richard! Janice
Lamoureux Avatar
September 9, 2019 at 2:13 PM
Thanks Janice.
Proxenos Avatar
September 7, 2019 at 1:25 PM
What a WOW write - I love this Beatles song, and you pay such an awesome tribute to Eleanor Rigby and the Beatles song and story of her - so well penned - I forecast a definite win Richard. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Lamoureux Avatar
September 7, 2019 at 1:33 PM
Hi Jennifer, I hope you are right. That would be nice. Mind you I have received so very thoughtful comments like this one so I already feel I have won. Hugs Rick.
Mcintosh Avatar
September 6, 2019 at 8:15 AM
You wrote a great narrative... I wouldn't have ever imagined this of her. Blessings and I know you'll do great in the contest :)
Lamoureux Avatar
September 7, 2019 at 1:33 PM
Thanks Regina.
Ashford Avatar
September 6, 2019 at 8:02 AM
Good narrative Richard. I always knew there was a tale behind the Beatles song. You told it well!
Lamoureux Avatar
September 7, 2019 at 1:44 PM
Thanks Eric.
Allison Avatar
September 6, 2019 at 7:01 AM
A very well written story and I love the twist at the end Rick:-) hugs Jan xx
Lamoureux Avatar
September 6, 2019 at 7:36 AM
Thanks Jan, hugs Rick.
Teagan Avatar
September 5, 2019 at 11:05 PM
So this is Eleanor Rigby! I always wondered! Nice one, Rick!
Lamoureux Avatar
September 5, 2019 at 11:40 PM
Hi Becca, just a dark corner of my imagination.
Goff Avatar
September 5, 2019 at 6:53 PM
Beauty & horror! lovely volatility! jimbo
Lamoureux Avatar
September 5, 2019 at 11:41 PM
Thanks Jim, it was a fun contest.
Messina Avatar
September 4, 2019 at 8:19 AM
This is great Richard...good luck in the contest. Charlie
Lamoureux Avatar
September 4, 2019 at 8:28 AM
Thanks Charles. ;0)
Beaufort Avatar
September 3, 2019 at 4:03 PM
A well written and thoughtful work on the neighbor. I always recommend Katz deli to folks visiting manhattan. The do have a remarkable corned beef. I am working on a Gov project regarding building documents from a database rather than as word docs. It could save the Gov billions of $$, but the bad part is it’s consuming my creative thought process for rhymes. There’s only so much to give.
Messina Avatar
September 4, 2019 at 8:18 AM
I love the corned beef at Katz deli...I believe it's on Houston St. if that's the same one. Good luck on the project Duke, hope it goes well. Charlie
Krutsinger Avatar
September 3, 2019 at 5:11 AM
Great job and great entry for the contest. my friend. I liked every bit of this from beginning to end.
Lamoureux Avatar
September 3, 2019 at 7:32 AM
Thanks so much Caren, so pleased you enjoyed this piece.
Connelly Avatar
September 2, 2019 at 12:10 PM
Very nice Richard. I am a Beatles fan and so read this as your last post. A nice interupptation of the song, but where do we all belong? I think the best done found Beatles' poetry is "Being for the Benifit of Mister Kyte". No interruption needed. I enjoyed this Richard. Thanks.
Lamoureux Avatar
September 3, 2019 at 7:33 AM
Thanks Jeff, this was a fun one to write.
Ellison Avatar
August 31, 2019 at 10:02 AM
I AM FREAKING AMAZED SIR RICHARD!!! This is epic, a winner in my books! What it tells me is what I have missed by losing contact! I will rectify that! Cheers, Happy Jack!
Lamoureux Avatar
August 31, 2019 at 1:12 PM
What a great comment, thanks Jack.
Laurie Avatar
August 30, 2019 at 10:25 PM
G'day Richard … a well written set of lyrics, although the song would go for quite a while, however I believe it would be the worth to listen to it - thank you Richard - Lindsay
Lamoureux Avatar
August 31, 2019 at 8:59 AM
Thanks Lindsay, you are kind.
Faulkner Avatar
August 30, 2019 at 5:24 PM
Oh, so suddenly dark, that chilling ending gave me goosebumps, should do well in the contest, Rick.
Lamoureux Avatar
August 31, 2019 at 9:00 AM
I hope so, thanks for the vote of confidence.
Y. Avatar
August 30, 2019 at 2:52 PM
Wow! Richard, You've written such a well written and compelling write. I'm with Anne Lise, after reading this I want to know if she was a real person. Great story telling. I wish you the best of luck in the contest. Have a fantastic weekend my friend:-) Alexis
Rose  Avatar
August 29, 2019 at 8:01 PM
wow, you make me want to look her up, Is she truth or fiction ?
Lamoureux Avatar
August 30, 2019 at 12:50 AM
I think she is real but my story is fictional. Thanks for such a great comment.
Mcconnell Avatar
August 29, 2019 at 3:51 PM
Such a great piece Richard, this also has the Beatles song of the same name ringing in my ears. A super write!
Lamoureux Avatar
August 30, 2019 at 12:51 AM
Thanks Gordon.
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace